History of Cozad

The 100th Meridian Museum

The 100th Meridian Museum was completed in 1994. The museum became the permanent home for the Concord Touring Coach which can now be viewed by the public. This famous stagecoach carried President Taft during his visits to Yellowstone National Park.

The Robert Henri Museum and Historical Walkway

The Robert Henri Museum and Historical Walkway was the childhood home of John J. Cozad's son, Henri, who became a famous artist and is known worldwide. The Walkway consists of an original Pony Express station, the Little Church in the Park, and a pioneer schoolhouse. The Robert Henri Museum holds many art shows throughout the year.

 Original Pony Express Station

Cozad’s original Pony Express Station has attracted much attention through the years.  Located in the Veteran’s Memorial Park, it is often times a focal point for visiting tourists.  The cabin was originally built about 1849 on the south bank of the Platte River, south of Darr by Mr. Pat Malalley.  Mr. Malalley built it of red cedars which he found in the canyons to the west.  He used wooden pegs in the construction and he plastered it with clay which he found in the hills to the south.  This clay made a “pink” plaster.   This Malalley Ranch became not only a trading post for Indians but also a camping place for wagon trains because there was water available and wood for repairs and fuel.  Later it became known as the Willow Island station and was used as a stage and Pony Express station during the Pony Express April 1860 – October 1861. More>>

 The Little Church by the Park

The Little Church by the Park was originally known as New Hope Evangelical. It was the center of most social activities. Not only were there services on Sunday and Wednesday nights and weddings and funerals, but it was used for Ladies Aid Society, Quilting Parties, Potluck Suppers, Box Socials, birthday and anniversary celebrations and all types of parties that did not include dancing. More>>

 The Pioneer School

 This one room country school was built about the year 1880 on a site nine miles north and west of the City of Cozad. The school was called "The Adle School" because it was on Adle land. In the one room was a big coal burning stove. Every day the pail of water was carried to school until eventually a pump was put outdoors near the schoolhouse. This was a very active school, not only full of students in the daytime, but many evening community activities were held there. There was a neighborhood PTA, a Literary Society, and a Grange Group that met there monthly. There were parties, programs, box suppers and even dances held there. More>>

The 100th Meridian City

John J. Cozad was traveling west on the Union Pacific Railroad when he saw the “100th Meridian” sign. It impressed him as a favorable site for a town. Returning to Ohio, he organized a company of people which he brought to this location and founded the town named after him.

The 100th Meridian” is an important natural demarcation line where “the humid east meets the arid west”. Therefore, you are now officially in the West, as proclaimed by the State of Nebraska.

The Pony Express Trail

Three major pioneer trails, the Oregon, the Mormon, and the Chisholm, as well as the Pony Express went through the Cozad area. The Pony Express marker and the Oregon Trail marker are located at two sites south of the Platte River Bridge at Cozad.

     

The Historic Lincoln Highway

Cozad is located right on the historic Lincoln Highway. The Lincoln Highway stretched across 3,389 miles beginning construction in 1913 when a group of American industrialists envisioned a “continuous improved highway from the Atlantic to the Pacific, open to lawful traffic of all description, without toll charges, and to be a lasting memorial to Abraham Lincoln.”

The Lincoln Highway banner is proudly displayed right in front of the Robert Henri Historical Walkway as part of its official route and an original Lincoln Highway marker with Medallion can be viewed in the front window of the 100th Meridian Museum.