Crofton in Knox County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Honor. Celebrate. Grow.
Crofton's Q125 Mural
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2021
1. Honor. Celebrate. Grow. Marker
In the 125 years since Crofton was founded, the United States and its communities have changed dramatically. Even with industrialization and advancements in education and technology, there remain certain constants in our lives. Crofton is a community built on faith. Faith in a higher power gave settlers the strength and fortitude to create a community out of sod and stone. Soon, faith in the land created fields of green and gold; fields that would feed first a small village and would eventually feed the world. The Missouri river, which first provided food and water for settlers, would eventually provide power, transportation, and recreation for generations to come.
As our community has grown, it has lost some of the treasured landmarks that made it unique. These landmarks are represented by blue silhouettes: the old public high school, the water tower, and the famous tree in the middle of road.
Without the sacrifices made by its service men and women, the United States would not be "The Land of the Free." History is important, but it is the future for which they fight. Honor and celebrate these brave men and women, for
this page online
Conceived and painted by local artist Kari LaRayne Kollars.
Erected by Kari LaRayne Kollars and Crofton Community Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Patriots & Patriotism • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 42° 43.934′ N, 97° 29.787′ W. Marker is in Crofton, Nebraska, in Knox County. It is on Main Street just east of West 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east. The mural spans the north side of the building at this location. The marker is on the right side of the mural. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 206 Main Street, Crofton NE 68730, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska and in the Niobrara Valley. It is also 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
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2021
2. Honor. Celebrate. Grow. Marker
Looking south from Main Street. The marker is mounted on the right side of the mural.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: From Dinosaurs to a Prairie Dog (here, next to this marker); Historic Missouri Valley (approx. 8.1 miles away); The Great Missouri River (approx. 8.1 miles away); Meeting the Yankton Sioux (approx. 8.2 miles away); Scenic Missouri Valley (approx. 8.2 miles away); Meridian Highway (approx. 8.2 miles away); Flood of 1881 Leaves Lost Settlements in its Wake (approx. 10½ miles away in South Dakota); Crossroads of Culture (approx. 10.6 miles away in South Dakota). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crofton.
Also see . . . Crofton History (crofton-nebraska.com).
Excerpt: Rich in cultural history, prehistoric remains of the first human inhabitants in the Crofton and Knox County area have been found dating back to 1010 B.C. Modern day records show that there was trade between trappers and the Ponca Indians in 1789. In 1804, Lewis & Clark took five days to traverse the part of the Missouri River that lies just north of Crofton. In 1846, overland travelers, the Mormons, wintered near Crofton along the Niobrara River.(Submitted on October 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1865 created the territory of Nebraska and opened the doors for settlement. In 1868, the Fort Laramie Treaty gave Ponca land to the Sioux Indians in Knox County. Originally called County of L’eau-qui-court, meaning “running water” in French, the county name was changed to Knox in 1873 after Major General Henry Knox. The town of Crofton was laid out in the summer of 1892. It was the tenth of thirteen communities platted in Knox County.
It’s been reported that the first buildings in Crofton were two saloons. Each saloon was built on the same street, across from one another. Afterwards a lumber yard, a building to house the bank, other stores, a school, and some homes were built. Crofton was supposed to be a town with a heavy railroad influence. Settlers came to the area to farm, work for the railroad, or start a business. However, the railroad’s dominance waned as time wore on and farming emerged as the dominant influence.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
