Lusk in Niobrara County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
The Lusk House
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 30, 2022
1. The Lusk House Marker
The Lusk House is one of the oldest buildings and was the first brick home built in Lusk. Founder of the town, Frank S. Lusk, built the home in 1886 for his mother, Cornelia Lusk, and her mother, Sarah Stillman.
The Lusk family founded and helped develop the town bearing their name. In 1880, Frank started one of the first cattle ranches in the area. He later donated land for the town site. He was also the first postmaster of Lusk and helped bring the railroad to Lusk.
Cornelia was active in the community, one of the founders of the Congregational Church, and the third woman in Wyoming Territory to be elected to the position of County Superintendent of Schools.
The Lusk home, furnished with grace and elegance, was always known for its hospitality. Because the Lusk House was the only home large enough to entertain properly, Cornelia hosted ministers, lecturers, club meetings, church socials, and lonely women homesteaders, making all feel welcome.
In 1931, George Earl Peet bought the Lusk House and converted it into a mortuary, but he maintained many of the details of the original home. The chapel and garage were added in 1938. Since then, it has remained a mortuary and served generations of families.
[other photo captions]
• Cornelia Lusk
• Lusk House after adding chapel to become
this page online
Erected by Niobrara Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location. 42° 45.689′ N, 104° 27.134′ W. Marker is in Lusk, Wyoming, in Niobrara County. Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street (CanAm Highway) (U.S. 18/85) and West 4th Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street (CanAm Highway). The marker is located beside the sidewalk, directly in front of the subject property. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 West 4th Street, Lusk WY 82225, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wyoming National Guard Armory (within shouting distance of this marker); Oldest Building in Lusk (within shouting distance of this marker); Niobrara County Courthouse (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Redwood Water Tank (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Redwood Water Tank (approx. half a mile away); The C & H Refinery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Breaks in the Prairie (approx. 1.8 miles away); Lusk Rest Area (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lusk.
Also see . . .
2. Marker detail: The Lusk House, circa 1910
In 1877, Frank S. Lusk traveled to the Wyoming Territory for the first time on personal business and left highly impressed with the people and the area. Lusk and the Western Live Stock Company arrived in the Wyoming Territory in 1880 via Denver, establishing the Node Ranch, about 15 miles east of present-day Lusk. A year later, he bought some land about 3 miles outside of Lusk, which included the Running Water Stage Station. Buildings on the land included a stone barn and shelters that had been used by the Cheyenne–Deadwood stage route. Lusk established a hay ranch on the property. He organized his horse ranch at the site of what would later become the town of Lusk. The town was founded in July 1886, by Lusk, a renowned Wyoming rancher, partner in the Western Live Stock Company, and stockholder in the Wyoming Central Railway.(Submitted on March 2, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 30, 2022
3. The Lusk House Marker
Looking west from South Main Street; Pier Funeral Home in background.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 30, 2022
4. Pier Funeral Home (formerly the Lusk House)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 53 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 2, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
