New York, Orleans County, Medina
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[facing west]
John Ryan 1801-96
The first to establish a
stone quarry business here
in 1837 naming his product
Medina Sandstone.
(over)
[facing east]
Medina Sandstone
Used for paving blocks, walks,
curbs and in architecture. It was
shipped on the Erie Canal
in the 1800's & early 1900's
(over)
(Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
[facing west]
John Ryan 1801-96
The first to establish a
stone quarry business here
in 1837 naming his product
Medina Sandstone.
(over)
[facing east]
Medina Sandstone
Used for paving blocks, walks,
curbs and in architecture. It was
shipped on the Erie Canal
in the 1800's & early 1900's
(over)
(Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
In honor of our 
First Chartered AG College 
Built in 1890 under the
This part of Boston Purchase
Dr. Edwin Eldridge opened
1741-1821
built 1815-1820. First 
Operated from about
Willa Cather first came to Webster County from Virginia in 1883 at the age of nine. The vast open prairies of Nebraska made a lasting impression on her. "This country was mostly wild pasture and as naked as the back of your hand. I was little and homesick and lonely and my mother was homesick and nobody paid any attention to us. So the country and I had it out together and by the end of the first autumn, that shaggy grass country had gripped me with a passion I have never been able to shake." Her life task became portraying how the pioneers tamed the wild land.
Built in 1897, the main section of Red Cloud's Burlington Depot contained sleeping quarters on the second floor, and freight room, agent's office, and waiting room below. The building was moved here from its site near the tracks directly south of its present location. Depots and trains played a significant role in Willa Cather's life and writings, symbolizing both escape to the world and the door through which the world came to Red Cloud. Restored and donated by the Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial and Educational Foundation.
Built in 1884 on the corner of Second and Walnut, the Grace Protestant Episcopal Church was moved to its present location in 1891. The brick veneer was added sometime after 1922. Willa Cather joined this church in 1922 and remained a loyal member until her death in 1947. The stained glass window "The Good Shepherd" on the north wall was given by Cather in memory of her father. Restored and donated by the Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial and Educational Foundation.
Red Cloud, named for the Oglala Sioux chief, was founded early in 1871 on homestead land filed upon by Silas Garber and company July 17, 1870, at Beatrice, the nearest land office. It is one of the oldest communities in the Republican Valley. When Webster County was organized, Red Cloud was voted the county seat at the first county election, April 19, 1871. The election was held in the dugout of Silas Garber, Nebraska's governor, 1875-1879.
Built ca. 1876, this is the house in which Willa Cather lived from 1884 to 1890. She describes it in "Old Mrs. Harris," in "The Best Years," and in this quotation from Song of the Lark:
On April 10, 1871, Acting Governor William James issued a proclamation calling for the organization of Webster County, with officials to be elected nine days later. The dugout of Silas Garber, later to serve as Nebraska's governor, was the polling place and forty-five votes were cast. A portion of Garber's claim, future Red Cloud, was voted the county seat.
