Near Harrison in Sioux County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Coﬀee Siding

Coffee Siding Marker image. Click for full size.

By Dawn Bowen, July 26, 2008

1. Coffee Siding Marker

Inscription. Large pioneer ranches were established in this region of Nebraska in the 1870's and early 1880's. Charles F. Coffee was one of these pioneers, with ranch headquarters on Hat Creek in Nebraska and Rawhide Creek in Wyoming. By June, 1886, the Fremont, Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley Railroad (later the Chicago and North Western) reached the present site of Harrison. On August 15, Coffee shipped the first train load from Harrison to Chicago.

Coffee Siding, located here to avoid higher freight rates in Wyoming, became an important shipping point for Nebraskans. Wyoming ranchers also trailed herds here for shipment. Near the 1,023 footlong siding, Coffee built seven cattle pens. Cattle awaiting shipment were pastured on the Niobrara River south of here. As many as three cattle trains, each consisting of not less than fourteen cars, were sometimes shipped at a time.
Ranching continues as the major industry in Sioux County, but development of better roads and use of huge cattle trucks have reduced dependence on railroads. Sidings and pens used continuously through the 1940's were removed in 1958, and little remains to mark Coffee Siding and the pioneer ranching activity it represented.

Erected by Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 260.)

Marker series.

By Dawn Bowen, July 26, 2008

2. Coffee Siding Marker

This marker is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society marker series.

Location. 42° 39.985′ N, 104° 2.042′ W. Marker is near Harrison, Nebraska, in Sioux County. Marker is on U.S. 20 at milepost 1, one mile east of the Nebraska/Wyoming State Line, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harrison NE 69346, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. American Legion, Ferdinand Branstetter Post No. 1 (approx. 2.9 miles away in Wyoming); Village of Harrison (approx. 8 miles away).

Categories. • Agriculture • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers •

Remnants of Trestle image. Click for full size.

By Dawn Bowen, July 26, 2008

3. Remnants of Trestle

Remnant of Rail Bed image. Click for full size.

By Dawn Bowen, July 26, 2008

4. Remnant of Rail Bed

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 26, 2008, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,636 times since then and 131 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 26, 2008, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 27, 2008, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.