Dehning/Kallsen Family

Johnson Family

Mauser Family

Root Family

The Great Train Robbery

The town of Big Springs was originally founded in 1884, when the county was still known as Cheyenne. The original grant was signed by UPRR Vice-President E Atkins and Secretary Henry M. McFarland. This grant included the three blocks east of Pine Street (Highway 30) from the railroad tracks one and one half blocks north. The town consisted of the Phelps House, the Abbott and Kimball store and one or two other frame buildings. The first church services were in the Phelps House during the spring of 1884 by a Methodist minister, Rev. Mount. The first school house was built that fall and classes were taught by a Mrs. Slocomb from Illinois.

In the early 1800's the territory between the North and South Platte Rivers was used as an open range for beef cattle. At a point nine miles due north of Big Springs came into being, a town called "Day".  This town was named for E. M. Day, superintendent of schools in what was Cheyenne, Deuel and Garden counties at that time. The homesteaders, to whom free land was granted by the government, would prove up on their land by building a sod dwelling and living on it a certain number of months of the year. The homesteaders found the severe winter and the drouths  most unbearable.

Among the land agents who began coming into the area, G.E. Thompson, Mott Daughty, Ed Searles and Anna Gray Clark are the best remembered. Mrs. Clark came from Polk County where she was county school superintendent. The original UP depot was situated where the Farmers Elevator now stands. A frame building south of the tracks served as a section house. Homesteaders began staking out claims on the table lands in 1885. Among the first to homestead south of the river were Walter Kimball, the Jacobsons, the Emery Abbotts, and the Harrisons.. The Haldeens were already established as they came in 1883. By April, 1885 the Town had grown considerably so the Thompson additions were platted. The Phelps Hotel was completed that fall. They hosted a banquet and dance complete with a two piece orchestra composed of Mr. and Mrs. Emery playing violins.

Poor crops in 1885 discouraged many land seekers and they left that fall, but other settlers arrived the next spring. Then the blizzard of 1886 caused some people to leave. The hardships continued as several days of scorching winds wiped out that summer’s crop prospects. At that point nearly all the settlers were ready to go back east. A.D. Remingtons came to their rescue by letting them have cattle on shares. Many accepted this project because they would at least have something to eat from the milk, cream and butter. They might even have produce to sell and could buy other necessities. The increase in cattle brought about another business when Remington established a post office at Day. The station served that community many years before it was abandoned. Big Springs was still growing and another addition was made in April, 1886. This was the UPRR First Addition and included two blocks west of Pine Street. P,G. Ruckman published the first newspaper in Big Springs that year.

The next few years were much better and the settlers took on new hope. When another drought struck in 1890, the pioneers were better prepared to cope with it as they now had livestock and some grain stored. The first Methodist church was built in 1894. The congregation previously met in the school house.

Cheyenne Bounty was divided in 1889 into Cheyenne and Deuel, putting Big Springs in the latter. Deuel County was divided into Deuel and Garden County in 1909. In December of the same year, the Phelps First Addition was added to Big Springs. The Cochran addition was added June 9, 1910. The Phelps second addition was plotted in 1920. Two years later the Clear Springs Addition was added, but never incorporated into the Village. For years this section of town was known as West Big Springs

Big Springs was incorporated into a village May 15, 1917 and the County Commissioners appointed Andreas Kjeldgaard. August Gehrke, Otto Neilson, Willam Mack and J.R. Remington as trustees.

The first Village Board meeting was in the Farmer’s State Bank. Holcombe was chosen chairman and Kjeldgaard clerk. W. R.Thurnagle was appointed marshal. Meeting minutes stipulated that no salary was named or fixed, but a reasonable compensation would be allowed for time actually spent in service. W.H. Klindt was appointed treasurer. The next board election listed G. E. Junge, N. C. Nielson Sr., S .D. Beatle, William Little and Andreas Kjeldgaard as members.

The first tax levy of 15 mils was made May 31, 1918, and applied to property within the Village limits. This money was entered in the general purpose fund. A motion was passed that every citizen between the ages of 21 and 50 should perform two days labor between April 1 and November 1. This work was to be done for the Village on streets and alleys when and where the committee directed. A $5.00 fine was imposed for each day of delinquency. G. E. Junge was instructed to look for a jail location

Further growth of the village and progress in general necessitated lighting and water systems. An election was held July21, 1919, to vote for light bonds not to exceed $6,900. Results showed 123 voting for light bonds and 19 against; 119 for a water system and 16 against. The bids were let and work began on the two projects.

When a fuel shortage occurred in 1919, G. E. Junge was appointed fuel administrator. Business houses were to open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. except banks were to open from 10 to 3. Restaurants were to open 9 to 5 except for meals. The pool hall and Hatterman Hall were to remain closed.