Oakland, NE: Aban/C&NW/CStPM&O Depot & Water Tower, CB&Q and Ag Support

(Satellite, I think today's gas station is on the land of the CStPM&O depot.)

CStPM&O = Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway

Wandermore's Visit531Nebraska posted

Historic Photos of Nebraska

Oakland, Nebraska — A train departs from the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad depot, which was responsible for bringing many of the early inhabitants and industries to what would eventually become “the Swedish Capital of Nebraska.” The railroad opted to name their depot and the townsite “Oakland” in honor of early settler John Oak.

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I will sometimes share old follower-submitted postcards and photos of Nebraska! I would encourage those who used to live in Oakland and the surrounding area to comment any memories, history, or anecdotes that they may have about the photo or town.

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Mike Bartels shared

The C&NW used to be west of the CB&Q when it went through town. They crossed each other at 

Fulton Street. Today, only the CB&Q route remains.

1966 Oakland Quad @ 24,000

EarthExplorer: Jul 23, 1953 @ 66,500; ARA001280020386

I put "Ag Support" in the title instead of the usual "Grain Elevators" because in this town putting seed and chemicals on the fields is a bigger business that taking crops off of the fields.

Seeds and Chemicals

In addition to various chemicals used to fertilize crops, I've noticed from watching farming videos that modern agriculture has become very dependent on "cides" (fungicides, herbicides and insecticides).

Some of the C&NW RoW is now occupied by grain elevators. The long building near Fulton Street is slanted because it was parallel to the C&NW as it curved to cross the CB&Q. You can see that building next to the tracks in the above topo map.

Satellite