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Fairbury, Nebraska

This monument is situated on a grassy knoll of a field. On April 26, 1849, 25 members of the Boston-Newton Joint Stock Association left Boston, Mass., to travel overland to the gold fields of California. On May 29, at Soldier Creek, near present-day Topeka, Kan., one of the founders of the association, 25-year-old George Winslow, a machinist from Newton Upper Falls, was suddenly taken violently ill with cholera. The company remained in camp for three days, and Winslow appeared to be recovering. Late in the afternoon of June 6, the company reached the point where the Oregon-California Trail crosses the present Nebraska-Kansas state line. There, David J. Staples, Winslow's brother-in-law, described a "terrific thunder shower, lightning flashes sometimes dazzling to the eyes. Rain falling in torrents." Goerge Winslow's death probably resulted from exposure to the storm. At 9 a.m. on June 8, "painlessly as though going to sleep, he died." A headstone inscribed "Geo. Winslow, Newton, Mass." was set at the head of the grave. On a footstone was the year, "1849". The headstone is now incorporated in a granite monument, erected Oct. 29, 1912, through the efforts of George W. Hanson of Fairbury, the state of Nebraska, and the sons of George Winslow. There is at least one other emigrant grave on this rise of ground between the forks of Whiskey Run Creek. On May 23, 1850, Elias Gaggy wrote: Travel five miles the road making several sprangles which now come together --- where there are two graves --- Geo. Winslow --- Newton Mo. (Mass.) age 25 --- 1849 & R. Depew --- St. Louis, Mo. died June 25th, 1849, age 62."

Attractions and Upcoming Events

I.0.0.F. Temple Building

What is today known as the Ackerman Building was originally called the I.0.0.F. Temple Building. It was the first building downtown to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The building housed the International Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 54 and was built in 1894-1

Fairbury, NE National Register


Crystal Springs

Crystal Springs may be near Fairbury, but it is a world apart from city life.

The 73-acre park just south of Fairbury offers recreation and a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities in a location that is less than five miles from civilization.

Fairbury, NE RV Parks

Four Corner Survey Marker

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of May 30, 1854, created the territories of Nebraska and Kansas, which had to be surveyed before settlement of the prairies could proceed. On May 8, 1855, Charles A. Manners set a cast-iron monument on the bluff west of the Missouri river at 40-degrees north latitude. In 1855

Fairbury, NE Historical Markers

Smith Lime Kiln

A long-abandoned lime kiln, looking very much like a large stone chimney stands along the River Road northwest of Fairbury. For a period of at least 20 years, it was the sight of a lime-burning operation where limestone was heated, or "calcined"

Fairbury, NE National Register

Things to do near Fairbury, NE

Ashland Bridge - NHR

In late August 1935 the Saunders County Commissioners voted to file for funding from the Federal Emergency Rel...

Country Drive Golf Course

Course Access: PublicHoles: 9Reserve Advance Tee Times: Yes...