Lincoln State Journal
Sunday, June 5, 1887
A promotional issue on the merits of individual towns and settlements in Nebraska
SHELTON
- Situated in Buffalo County --On the Union Pacific Railroad.
- One hundred and fifteen miles from Lincoln
- Population: One thousand
Shelton is an enterprising town on the main line of the Union Pacific Railroad, 177 miles west of Omaha. It has a population of about one thousand and is the second town in Buffalo county. It is surrounded by a fine agricultural and stock raising region. Nearly all classes of business are well represented, the business men being of that thrifty, enterprising class characteristic of western towns. Since January 1, 1887, there have been shipped from this point to Omaha, Chicago and Kansas City markets 100 cars of stock and 120 cars of grain.
The business of the town is transacted by two banks, four general stores, five grocery stores, three hardware stores, one bakery, one restaurant, two drug stores, two drug and grocery stores, two hotels, two lumber yards, two real estate and loan offices, one coal yard, two harness stores, four agricultural implement stores, two meat markets, one furniture store, one millinery store, one newspaper, one water power flour mill and other lesser establishments. A $3,000 creamery is now in course of erection and will be completed in a very short time.It will have the capacity of 1,200 pounds of butter daily.
The educational facilities of Shelton are excellent, the town having a school building costing $5,000 with four departments, and employing the best instructors.
The Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal societies have fine church edifices and large congregations. A $20,000 opera house furnishes a place of amusement to the citizens. Many of the business men are old settlers, while others are young men who have located here within the past two or three years, but in matters pertaining to the benefit and advancement of the place the old and the young men work together.
At the present time there are being fed in this vicinity about 8,000 head of cattle, 2,000 head of sheep, and 6,000 head of hogs. Two brick yards furnish brick for the town, and they are run to their fullest capacity to supply the demand.
Shelton's prospects are exceedingly good for securing the Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern railroad, which is now building northwest from Kansas City. The securing of this road will open up a direct route to Kansas City and the southern markets, which will without doubt be of incalculable benefit to Shelton as well as this entire section of country. Shelton is certainly destined to be a good town, as the fertility of the country surrounding it and its advantageous location warrant the upbuilding of a place of no mean proportions.