Sterling in Logan County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Old Sterling

1875-1883

— 4.0→ —

Old Sterling Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2021

1. Old Sterling Marker

Inscription. In honor of
the Centennial of
Sterling, Colorado
this monument placed
in remembrance of
those early settlers
who founded
”Old Sterling”

A settlement of 12
families resided 4.0 miles
north of here from
1875-1883

Erected by Boy Scouts of America Troop 17.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 40° 37.103′ N, 103° 10.869′ W. Marker is in Sterling, Colorado, in Logan County. Marker is on Overland Trail just east of U.S. 6, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located on the Overland Trail Museum grounds in Overland Trail Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 Overland Trail, Sterling CO 80751, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Valley Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Overland Trail (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indian Wars 1864-1869 (about 700 feet away); "Dinkey Engine" (approx. 1½ miles away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. 1½ miles

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

away); Sterling’s First Public School (approx. 2½ miles away); William Shaw Hadfield (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sterling.

Also see . . .
1. Settlers on the South Platte River.

The Civil War had left its mark on the South, so soon afterward eyes turned to the West and the land of opportunity and freedom. These people first settled in the Union Colony (present-day Greeley), but found the best farmland already taken, so came back east along the river and settled along its banks in an area about four miles north of the present townsite. Here they built sod huts and dugouts along the treeless river valley.

(Submitted on May 6, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Sterling History.

The first irrigation ditches around Sterling were dug in 1872–73, but by the time Colorado became a state in 1876, the Sterling area was still little more than a cluster of homesteads. Sterling incorporated in December 1884, and became the county seat of the newly formed Logan County in 1887. By the 1890s, Sterling had a population of about 540. Main Street was home to dozens of businesses, including
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2021

2. Old Sterling Marker
(looking south • marker is beside the windmill & farming equipment exhibit • Overland Trail in background)
groceries, hotels, restaurants, saloons, tailors, and barbershops.

(Submitted on May 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Overland Trail Museum Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2021

3. Overland Trail Museum Sign

(enter here from US Highway 6 to access the marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 129 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.