Original Townsite of Wood River
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 40° 48.258 W 098° 39.287
14T E 529119 N 4517090
Historical marker located outside Wood River, Nebraska along US 30.
Waymark Code: WMNXA
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 08/29/2006
Views: 34
Text
from marker:
"Between 1844 and 1866 thousands of emigrants, gold seekers, and Mormons
moved west through the Platte Valley. The first settlers along Wood River
1858-60 operated road ranches to serve travelers. They included Patrick,
Richard, and Anthony Moore; James Jackson; and a Mormon, Joseph E. Johnson. In
this immediate vicinity was Jackson's store, opened about 1864, and Moore's
Ranche. Johnson's Ranche, also known as Wood River Center, was at the present
site of Shelton, Nebraska.
The original town of Wood River, named for the tree-lined river directly
north, was platted around a station established here by the Union Pacific
Railroad in 1866. Jackson moved his store to the settlement, and a log Catholic
Church and settlers' school were built by 1869.
In 1874-75 the Union Pacific platted the present town of Wood River about
three miles east. The station, post-office, and Jackson's store were placed on
skids and moved to the new location. In 1990 only St. Mary's Cemetery and the
District 5 school marked the original townsite."
Hall County Historical Society
Nebraska State Historical Society
US 30 near Wood River
Hall County
Marker 336