Deep Well Irrigation

Andreas's 1882 history records an earlier deep well in the county, one that watered freighters rather than fields. In 1862 John Harris and Alfred Blue set up the Deep-Well Ranch thirteen miles west of David Millspaw's ranch on the Nebraska City to Fort Kearney trail. It was a favorite stop with the freighters because its deep well never failed to give pure water, and like the other road ranches it flourished until the railroad replaced the mule and ox teams. The county later had a Deepwell Precinct; Monroe Precinct was cut from it in 1875.

What the plaque says

Deep Well Irrigation During the 1930's, Nebraska suffered one of the most serious droughts in its recorded history. In all parts of Nebraska rainfall was far below normal. In 1936, corn yielded only 1/10 as much per acre as it had during the years 1923-1932. The dry powdered soil began to blow, and as dust storms obscured the sun, parts of Nebraska and the Great Plains became "the Dust Bowl". Between 1930 and 1940, the state declined in population because of the unfavorable agricultural conditions. This experience resulted in the increased use of deep-well irrigation. Nebraska is fortunate in having the largest supply of ground water in the central part of the United States. Hamilton County lies somewhat east of the center of the irrigation well area in Nebraska. A 225 foot deep well, sunk in the county by F. E. Edgerton in 1931, remains one of the deepest in the area. It is not uncommon for irrigated land to produce more than twice the crop raised on non-irrigated land. Irrigation is an important factor in the occupation of Nebraska by an agricultural population. Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America Historical Land Mark Council

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer — 19 mi
  Edward Durell Stone's island pavilion in Grand Island and an 1890s railroad town of moved buildings, among them the cottage where Henry Fonda was born in 1905.

More markers nearby

• Hamilton County Courthouse — 0.3 mi
• Siloa Cemetery — 5.5 mi
• Youst Cemetery, Hampton, Nebraska — 6.4 mi
• Porcupine Ranch — 10 mi