Gordon in Sheridan County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Lone Willow
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2023
1. Lone Willow Marker
A single willow tree on the banks of Antelope Creek served as a landmark along the Gordon Trail for settlers, fur traders, and Native Americans. In 1885, Reverend John Scamahorn and 104 settlers from Indiana set up camp at the Lone Willow. Later that year, the town moved a mile west to accommodate the railroad. The tree continued to serve as a meeting place for cowboys and cattlemen during early cattle round-ups. Today, Gordon annually celebrates the Willow Tree Festival.
Erected 2019 by Lone Willow Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 565.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Nebraska State Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 42° 48.437′ N, 102° 11.022′ W. Marker is in Gordon, Nebraska, in Sheridan County. Marker is on 190th Lane, half a mile north of Bridges to Buttes Byway (U.S. 20), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gordon NE 69343, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Lone Willow. Excerpt:
Judge Tucker, U.S. Commissioner at Valentine, convinced the Rev. John Scamahorn of Sullivan, Indiana, that northwest Nebraska was “a paradise for agriculture development” while in attendance at the Louisville Exposition in 1882. The next year, Scamahorn and a few friends came out to look it over. He returned home and organized a colony. In the winter of 1884, he and 104 sturdy folks journeyed to rail’s end at Valentine, then on west by means of ox drawn wagons. They set up their tents beside the “Lone Willow”, the only tree of any size in the area, near the present site of Gordon.(Submitted on November 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Lone Willow Tree Still Thrives (pdf). Excerpt:
(2010 article by Barbara Burleigh) Our own Lone Willow Tree lies east of the present-day Sheridan County Fairgrounds, near where the abandoned railroad tracks use to lay. On May 1, 1884, Rev. Scamahorn and his followers arrived in the Antelope Valley and set up tents in the area of the Lone Willow Tree. When asked to have the new village named after him, Rev. Scamahorn felt it should(Submitted on November 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)be named after John Gordon who led a pilgrimage westward in 1875, resulting in the burning of his wagon and all his possessions. Thus Gordon was born and named.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 20232. Lone Willow MarkerLooking northwest from 190th Lane. Nebraska's Cowboy Trail (rails-to-trails) in background.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 66 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
