Ansley in Custer County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Ansley 1886-1986

Photographed by Bob Cook, October 16, 2025

1. Ansley 1886-1986 Marker

Inscription. In 1886 Ansley was platted in southeastern Custer County by the Lincoln Land Company, headed by R.O. Phillips. Ansley was named for Eliza J. Ansley, who invested in real estate there. The site was purchased from ranchman Anthony Wilkinson. The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad (later the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy) reached the new settlement soon after it was founded. In 1986 approximately thirty-five Burlington Northern trains per day passed through Ansley.

Ansley was the first Nebraska town west of Grand Island to own a power plant and water system. The Ansley Electric Light and Power Company, built by C. J. Stevens, was incorporated September 20, 1892. Destroyed by fire in 1904, it was replaced by another power plant, which burned in 1910. The Municipal Light and Power System was completed in 191l. Ansley's waterworks company was organized and its facilities completed in 1893.

Ansley reached its peak population of 817 in 1930. In its centennial year of 1986 the town's more than 600 inhabitants continued to use the slogan applied to Ansley in 1916 by merchant William S. Mattley - - "Push, that's Ansley.”

Erected 1986

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by Ansley Centennial Committee and Nebraska Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 20, 1892.

Location. 41° 17.413′ N, 99° 23.242′ W. Marker is in Ansley, Nebraska, in Custer County. It is on Main Street (Nebraska Route 92), on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Ansley City Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Main Street, Ansley NE 68814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

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 3 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 1880 Westerville 1980 (approx. 7.3 miles away); Westerville United Methodist Church

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(approx. 7.4 miles away); Mitchell And Ketchum Homesteads (approx. 9.8 miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2026, by Bob Cook of Chicago, Illinois. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on September 22, 2026, by Bob Cook of Chicago, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.