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The railroads of Scribner played a major role in the history of our town. Even our founder, John I. Blair, was a railroad magnate. Initially, a simple boxcar served as our Depot, but in 1897, the C&NW (Chicago and North Western) Railway built an official depot building. Shortly after, the village passed an ordinance for the park that was being built around the depot to beautify its surroundings.
A cottonwood tree played a significant role in the history of Scribner’s railroad. It all began in 1870 with a man named Herman F. Wegner and a branch. In his youth, Mr. Wegner was a track walker for Scribner's newly built railroad. Patrolling from Scribner to what is now known as the village of Crowell. During these trips, he would bring along a walking stick originating from a cottonwood tree by the Elkhorn River, used as defense from the rattlesnakes found along the path. Once he returned from his patrolling, Mr. Wegner would lay his branch up against the wall of the section house. As the weather began to get colder and the need for Mr. Wegner’s patrols became less necessary, he, with a quick thrust, sent the stick well into the ground, and there it rested for the winter months. Over this time, something miraculous happened. This little branch turned from a stick in the ground into a young cottonwood tree. Later, Roadmaster Mr. Fred Godel protected the newly grown tree as it continued to grow into Scribner's first tree. The town agreed that the tree was not to be disturbed and that it should be left to grow and die peacefully. H. E. Dickinson of Omaha was a retiring superintendent of Northwestern railroad lines west. He reached out to Mayor W. H. Hasebrook at 3:50 PM on November 30, 1938, on account of the large cottonwood tree. Mr. Dickinson claimed that his authoritative position would cease in 70 minutes. Additionally, he added that he took great interest in the 70-year-old tree and that should the C&NW Railway ever attempt to cut down the tree, the people of Scribner should begin to protest against the idea and take official action to preserve it. The postal service in Scribner was also affected by the railroads. Ralph Wagner contested that when he began his career in 1947, oftentimes, mail would still come in via train on multiple occasions during the day. Ted Couchman would deliver the mail from the depot to the post office in a primarily steel two-wheeled cart. Outgoing mail would be put on the three and six o’clock trains before departure. This was the case up until 1950, when they began using trucks to transport mail. 
The C&NW Railway was in operation from 1859 to 1955 with traced roots dating back to the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad in 1836.
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This lantern was found on the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad line. Lanterns were used to navigate the railway at night and to signal to other workers basic railway terms by shaking the light.
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Additional Photos
