Near Valentine in Cherry County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Deer Park Hotel
Photographed by Michael Dean Brown
1. Deer Park Hotel Marker
Deer Park Hotel was located near this site. Established in 1880, the roadhouse was a large building made of native logs. It was built just opposite the Niobrara River from the Fort Niobrara cantonment. The fort, also established in 1880, served the Sioux Indian reservation north of here in Dakota Territory.
In November 1882 the hotel was the site of the first election in what is now Cherry County. Congressman E.K. Valentine was in a race for reelection. Arrangements were made to solicit votes from railroad workers who were building Sioux City & Pacific rail line in the area. Men at the camp were sent to the polls by being offered transportation and time from work.
Valentine won the election. That fall, about four miles west on Minnechaduza Creek, a new town was named in his honor.
Deer Park Hotel soon faded from memory. When Cherry County was organized in 1883, Valentine became the county seat. That year, the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad arrived and the town boomed.
Erected by Nebraska Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 42° 53.443′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Sand Hills and in the Niobrara Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Northern 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "American Heroes" (approx. 2½ miles away); Centennial Hall (approx. 3 miles away); Colburn Park (approx. 3.1 miles away); World War Roll of Honor (approx. 3.2 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away); War Memorial Honored Dead (approx. 3.2 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valentine.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2026, by Michael Dean Brown of Canyon, Texas. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on October 8, 2026, by Michael Dean Brown of Canyon, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?
