Duncan in Platte County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Duncan
1871 - 1971
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012
1. Duncan Marker
The history of Duncan, Nebraska has been closely associated with overland routes through the Platte and Loup River valleys. The Mormon Trail passed nearby during the mid-19th Century and the first transcontinental railroad was completed to this point in 1866. The early settlers in the area included Swiss and Polish immigrants. In June, 1869, Cherry Hill Post Office was established here. Two years later, in 1871, officials of the Union Pacific Railroad platted the town of Jackson on this site.
In 1879, Jackson was selected as the location for the junction of the Union Pacific and its subsidiary, the Omaha, Niobrara, and Black Hills Railroad. Union Pacific financier Jay Gould reportedly chose Jackson for the junction because he was angered at the nearby town of Columbus which had promoted construction of a rival railroad into the region. However, an ice jam destroyed the Loup River bridge on the Omaha, Niobrara and Black Hills line in 1881, and the tracks were later relocated to join the Union Pacific at Columbus.
In 1880, Jackson was renamed Duncan and the Village was formally incorporated on March 4, 1913.
Erected by
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1907.
Location. 41° 23.434′ N, 97° 29.584′ W. Marker is in Duncan, Nebraska, in Platte County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Avenue and 9th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Duncan NE 68634, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lincoln Highway (here, next to this marker); 1776 Bicentennial 1976 (here, next to this marker); Gardiner School (approx. 5.1 miles away); The Lincoln Highway - Gardiner Station Section (approx. 5.1 miles away); Andrew Jackson Higgins (approx. 6.8 miles away); In Memory of Veterans (approx. 6.8 miles away); The Columbus Quincentenary Belltower (approx. 6.8 miles away); North Branch, Oregon Trail (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Duncan.
Also see . . .
1. Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. (Submitted on March 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012
2. Duncan Marker
2. Village of Duncan, Nebraska. (Submitted on March 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
