Lusk in Niobrara County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Redwood Water Tank
The Sioux City & Pacific R.R. surveyed the route from Chadron NE to Fort Fetterman Wyoming Territory in 1883. They organized the Wyoming Central Railway a Wyo. Corp. as required by law to build or own a railroad in the territory in 1886. As the railroad and facilities were constructed they were leased to the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley R.R. Co. a subsidiary of the S C & P R. R.
Frank Lusk was a director and the local agent for the Wyoming Central Railway headquartered in Lusk, the only post office on the route. Mr. Lusk was also an agent for the Pioneer Townsite Company that established the locations of depots and platted the townsites of Van Tassell, Node, Lusk, Manville, Keeline, Lost Springs, Shawnee, Orin, Douglas, Glenrock, and Casper.
Livestock shipments, mining supplies and a source of coal enticed the R.R.s to build west. They were big business and very competitive. The rails were instrumental in the settlement of the west helped unite the continent into one nation.
All of these R.R.s were consolidated into the Chicago & North Western R.R. by 1903. In 1971 it halted service through Wyoming. In the 1980s the Union Pacific R.R., a competitor for over a century obtained this portion of the C & N W as a route for coal trains from the Powder River Basin.
The Niobrara County Historical Society obtained the tank in 1971 and has repaired and restored it with lots of community and individual support.
Erected by Niobrara County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location. 42° 45.739′ N, 104° 26.587′ W. Marker is in Lusk, Wyoming, in Niobrara County. Marker is on East 3rd Street (U.S. 20) 0.1 miles east of Holly Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lusk WY 82225, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Redwood Water Tank (a few steps from this marker); Niobrara County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Lusk House (approx. half a mile away); Wyoming National Guard Armory (approx. half a mile away); Oldest Building in Lusk (approx. half a mile away); The C & H Refinery (approx. 0.9 miles away); Breaks in the Prairie (approx. 2.2 miles away); Lusk Rest Area (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lusk.
Also see . . . Redwood Water Tank. From "Niobrara Historical Brevity" published by the Niobrara Historical Society (Niobrara County Library) (Submitted on April 28, 2011, by Volker Schmidt of Albstadt, Germany.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2011, by Volker Schmidt of Albstadt, Germany. This page has been viewed 1,576 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 25, 2011, by Volker Schmidt of Albstadt, Germany. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.