Elmwood in Cass County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Bess Streeter Aldrich, 1881-1954
Photographed by Joan Shurtliff, circa March 2015
1. Bess Streeter Aldrich, 1881-1954 Marker
"Love is more like a light that you carry .... that is what love is to a woman - a lantern in her hand," says Abbie Deal the courageous heroine in Bess Streeter Aldrich's novel about the pioneers who with dreams and hard work forged this great State of Nebraska. This memorable work became a veritable text-book of life on the prairie, the development of Nebraska; it was translated into many foreign languages.
The Rim of the Prairie, A Lantern in Her Hand, A White Bird Flying, Miss Bishop, Spring Came on Forever and Song of Years are among her novels. Mother Mason and The Cutters are remembered among her many stories of family life.
Bess Streeter Aldrich was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa, was educated at Iowa State Teachers College, taught school in Iowa and Utah, married Captain Charles S. Aldrich, settled in Elmwood and raised their four children.
Mrs. Aldrich portrayed life with a cheerful realism which set her apart from most other writers of the time. Her immense popularity as an author was due not only to her ability to convey life on the prairie most vividly but also to the delicate touch by which she portrayed
this page online
Erected by Elmwood Library Board and Historical Landmark Council. (Marker Number 41.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list.
Location. 40° 50.64′ N, 96° 17.549′ W. Marker is in Elmwood, Nebraska, in Cass County. It is at the intersection of East F Street and 5th Street (Local Route F St), on the left when traveling north on East F Street. This marker is on the corner of 5th and F Streets and is directly east of the city park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 East F Street, Elmwood NE 68349, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska, in Greater Lincoln, and in Greater Omaha. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World,
Photographed by Joan Shurtliff, circa March 2015
2. Bess Streeter Aldrich, 1881-1954 Marker
The home of Bess Street Aldrich is now owned by the Elmwood Historical Society.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Weeping Water Academy (approx. 8.1 miles away); Platte River (approx. 11 miles away); Gretna Fish Hatchery (approx. 12.4 miles away); Welcome to the Canyon Ponds (approx. 12½ miles away); Prehistoric Burial Site (approx. 13.1 miles away); The Ox-Bow Trail (approx. 13.9 miles away); In Honor Of John McBride Belnap (approx. 14 miles away); The Mormon Pioneer Trail (approx. 14 miles away).
Also see . . . Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation. Foundation website homepage (Submitted on April 24, 2015.)
Photographed by Joan Shurtliff, circa March 2015
3. Bess Streeter Aldrich, 1881-1954 Marker
The Bess Streeter Aldrich home is available for tours.
via Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation, unknown
4. Bess Streeter Aldrich
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2015, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. This page has been viewed 887 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 19, 2015, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. 4. submitted on March 29, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
