Cozad in Dawson County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The 100th Meridian
The 100th longitudinal line west of Greenwich was the major goal set by Congress in building the first transcontinental railroad. Construction of the Union Pacific track reached the Meridian on October 5, 1866. To celebrate this record-breaking achievement against terrific odds, appropriate ceremonies were enacted on this ground on October 26, 1866. A “Great Excursion from Wall Street to the 100th Meridian brought 250 notables including railroad and territorial officials, congressmen, financiers and newspaper men on the first passenger train to run west of the Missouri River. A large signboard proclaiming the “100th Meridian 247 Miles from Omaha” stood for many years close to the track on the Meridian but finally disappeared, and in 1933 was replaced on the original site with a monument of native stone by the Cozad Chapter of the D.A.R.
In 1879 John Wesley Powell, U. S. Army, in his report for the Geological Survey recognized the 100th Meridian as the natural demarcation line extending northward from the western shore of the Gulf of Mexico. Evaporation from the gulf waters supplies most of the rainfall east of the Meridian. West of the Meridian precipitation comes largely from the Pacific which is generally insufficient for agricultural needs without irrigation. Here on the 100th Meridian, Humid East Meets Arid West.
Erected by Cozad Chamber of Commerce and Historical Land Mark Council. (Marker Number 17.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Exploration • Man-Made Features • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Lincoln Highway, the Nebraska State Historical Society, and the Transcontinental Railroad series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 5, 1866.
Location. 40° 51.412′ N, 99° 59.104′ W. Marker is in Cozad, Nebraska, in Dawson County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 30 and North Meridian Avenue, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 30. Marker is located near the old Cozad Union Pacific Railroad Depot building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cozad NE 69130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Central Platte Valley (approx. 4.7 miles away); a different marker also named Central Platte Valley (approx. 5.4 miles away); Plum Creek Railroad Attack (approx. 10.3 miles away); Dissected Loess Plains (approx. 10˝ miles away); Original Pony Express Station (approx. 10˝ miles away); The Pony Express (approx. 10˝ miles away); The Road to Zion (approx. 10˝ miles away).
More about this marker. The marker is adjacent to a restored Union Pacific Caboose on display at the old railroad depot.
Regarding The 100th Meridian. Union Pacific crews reached an important milestone when they passed the 100th meridian near Cozad, Nebraska. This guaranteed the railroad the irrevocable right to continue westward, as stipulated in the Pacific Railway Act of 1862.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The 100° Meridian
Also see . . .
1. The 100th Meridian, Where the Great Plains Begin, May Be Shifting. Columbia University website entry (Submitted on August 23, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The Lincoln Highway. Wikipedia entry:
The Lincoln Highway was one of the earliest transcontinental highways for automobiles across the United States of America. Conceived in 1912 by Indiana entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, and formally dedicated October 31, 1913, the Lincoln Highway ran coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City west to Lincoln Park in San Francisco. (Submitted on March 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 780 times since then and 91 times this year. Last updated on September 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on March 6, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.