New Chadron history book draws favorable comments

The 128-page paperback is part of the Images of America series produced by Arcadia Publishing based in Chicago. It was developed last spring by students in the Composition II course taught by Deb Carpenter at Chadron State College. Major assistance was provided by the Dawes County Historical Society and the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center at CSC.

Those who have seen the book are very complimentary. They say the quality of the photos and the concise descriptions of them that were written by the students are outstanding.

Belle Lecher, director of the Dawes County Historical Society, said the book is a great resource in preserving the history of the region.

The book contains approximately 200 photos dating back to the 1890s, a few years after settlers began pouring into what in now Dawes County and not long after cameras were available in the West.

More than half the photos are from the Dawes County Historical Society’s collection that has been accumulated over the years. A few were printed from the plate glass negatives in the Graves collection and the photos left by Wallace Slattery, a Chadron judge in the pioneer days.

More than a dozen photos were contributed by rancher Dale Anderson from his family’s collection while numerous other area residents provided several

All the photos were digitalized by Alex Smith, a Chadron State senior who works at the Sandoz Center. The photos were sent on a compact disk to the publisher.

Carpenter said choosing the photos to be used from among the hundreds that were available was probably the most difficult task in assembling the book. Then the students had to research and write the historical significance of the photos.

Carpenter added that nearly all the students spent extra hours on the project.

“The students really became involved. After they had their assignments, I pretty well turned them loose with it. They really assumed the responsibility for it. I was impressed with the caliber of Chadron State students. All of them earned an A for the class.”

A number of photos were taken by students to show historical places and how they appear today.

The book is divided into five sections—1, Early Chadron; 2, Cattlemen and Settlers; 3, Rail and Trails; 4, Changing Faces; and 5, Surrounding Areas. It is on sale at Circa 1900, Cleo’s, the Eagle Pride Book Store at CSC, Petersen Drug, Rasberry Lane, Sandoz Center, Tee Jay’s Photo and Camera and the historical society.

Carpenter and a couple of her students will discuss the book on KCSR’s “Sound Off” program at 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8 while book signings are set for Circa 1900 from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Sept. 11 and at the historical society south of Chadron from 3 to 4 p.m. the following day.

In appreciation for their hard work, Carpenter and her family are hosting a barbecue for the students at her ranch home north of Rushville.

The book sells for $19.99 with the royalties going to the Chadron State scholarship fund.