In 1876, with great fanfare, the railroad grandly named the Covington, Columbus, and Black Hills Railroad arrived in Ponca.  At a time when NOTHING moved faster than a horse in Northeast Nebraska, and the hills and creeks slowed those to a crawl, the railroad provided the growing city of Ponca with a much needed lifeline. The steamboats that had built this boom town had begun their long decline. Sioux City was the major market for the farm goods that Ponca produced. But the roads to Sioux City were twisty trails up and down hills with lots of streams. Travel to the City was "a difficult all day affair" by wagon. By contrast, the path from Ponca's new competitor, Elk Point, was located in sight of the Ponca Steamboat Landing, and the flat riverbed. But now, the CC&BH railroad gave Ponca an important advantage.

The railroad provided Ponca with a much needed outlet for farm goods. Of course, there were many early problems - and the drama is high as charges of fraud surround the early years. But eventually, the small communities of Nebraska were linked, and they all benefited. How all this came to pass, as we will hear stories and see the sights of the time during my talk. 

As the Great Depression consumed businesses, and the railroad was one of its victims. Once one of the most profitable lines, four solid years of low farm markets would kill the railroad. The last train rolled out of Ponca on April 19, 1933 with engine 282 pulling all the rolling stock with it. The track was junked on May 18, 1933, in an attempt to recoup any money it could.

But during its lifetime, this railroad opened a chapter in travel and commerce that would benefit people throughout Northeastern Nebraska for over 50 years. Join me for the amazing story of the Ponca railroad, and the connections it created!

This program, created for the Ponca Carnegie Library, will be held on September 12, at Noon.

The Library is holding this at Ponca's new meeting center, the Oak Trail Village.  Located at 410 Ball Park Road, there will be a light lunch before the talk. Hope to see you there!

       “His ratings were the highest for our entire season of 12 workshops, and far eclipsed those for the previous season. He created a fantastic class, and people left feeling empowered.”

-- Dr. Lynn Barteck, Tri State Graduate Center

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