Sterling in Logan County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Orville S. Johnson (1911-1987) and H. Catherine Johnson (1914-2003)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2021
1. Orville S. Johnson (1911-1987) and H. Catherine Johnson (1914-2003) Marker
Orville S. Johnson (1911-1987)
and
H. Catherine Johnson (19142003)
Orville and Catherine Johnson were lifetime residents of Northeast Colorado. Orville graduated from Sterling High School in 1930) and Catherine from Padroni High School in 1932. After their marriage, at the First United Presbyterian Church of Sterling in 1946, they were engaged in farming and ranching in Washington and Logan Counties. As progressive agriculturalists, they were among the first to use soil and water conserving practices in their farm and ranch management.
Both Orville and Catherine were very active in the Lone Start and Burdett communities. Orville served on the Lone Star School Board and the Washington County Soil Conservation Board for many years and was a Washington County Commissioner for sixteen years (1961 to 1977).
Erected 2007 by Russell and Cinthia Johnson, Abram and Kelli Johnson, and Mather and Cynthia Johnson.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Charity & Public Work.
Location. 40° 37.457′ N, 103° 12.594′ W. Marker is in Sterling, Colorado, in Logan County. It is at the intersection of South 4th Street and
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 walking distance of this marker: The South Platte River Valley (within shouting distance of this marker); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); Logan County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); I & M Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sterling Public Library (about 500 feet away); Sterling Union Pacific Railroad Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Shaw Hadfield (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Dinkey Engine" (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sterling.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2021
2. Orville S. Johnson (1911-1987) and H. Catherine Johnson (1914-2003) Marker
Looking southeast; the Logan County Courthouse is in the background.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2021
3. Rain Upon the Prairie Sculpture
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2021
4. Rain Upon the Prairie Sculpture
The drought lay hard upon the land
They searched the blazing sky
The reservoirs of beast and man
Were slowly going dry.
They searched the blazing sky
The reservoirs of beast and man
Were slowly going dry.
The clouds began to gather
Hope soared as rain came down
With fragrance straight from heaven
God washed the world around.
The rain upon the prairie
Blessed their hearts with peace of mind
Their faith in things beyond control
Their worth to all mankind.
© Shalah Perkins 2003
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 125 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
