Sterling in Logan County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Original Building
Overland Trail Museum
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2021
1. Original Building Marker
Sterling's beloved museum began as a joint venture between the Logan County Historical and Natural History Society and the local office of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Built during the height of the Great Depression and initially called Logan County Museum, this original building was dedicated on November 11, 1936 Armistice Day (now called Veterans Day). The stone walls and two 18-foot towers provide the exterior with the appearance of a frontier fort, while the interior walls were constructed of rock that was found along the nearby South Platte River. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the original building is the fireplace mantle, which is made of petrified wood that was discovered near Stoneham, located approximately twenty-five miles west of Sterling. From this modest building blossomed the treasure of the High Plains that is fondly known as the Overland Trail Museum.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education • Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 11, 1936.
Location. 40° 37.11′ N, 103° 10.85′ W. Marker is in Sterling, Colorado, in Logan County
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Eastern Plains. It is also in the American Mountain West, on the Great Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Sterling (within shouting distance of this marker); Valley Station (within shouting distance of this marker); The Overland Trail (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indian Wars 1864-1869 (about 700 feet away); William Shaw Hadfield (approx. 1.4 miles away); Sterling Union Pacific Railroad Depot (approx. 1.4 miles away); I & M Building (approx. 1½ miles away); "Dinkey Engine" (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sterling.
Also see . . .
1. Overland Trail Museum. The Living New Deal website entry:
The Overland Trail Museum was built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration to commemorate the Overland Trail, allegedly Americas heaviest traveled road from 1862 to 1868. The original building was made of native rock and designed after the early trading forts.(Submitted on May 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Overland Trail Museum. Sterling website entry:
The museum was named after the Overland trail stage route that was a branch of the Oregon Trail in Nebraska. The Overland Trail followed the south bank(Submitted on May 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)of the South Platte River through northeastern Colorado.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 20212. Overland Trail Museum Entrance(marker is mounted on the left door)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2021
3. Overland Trail Museum (southwest elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2021
4. Overland Trail Museum (south elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 304 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
