Minatare Irrigation Canal [RG4293.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG4293.AM:  Minatare Irrigation Canal (Scottsbluff County, Nebraska)

Records, 1887-1896, 1925

Scottsbluff County, Nebraska

Size:  1 reel of microfilm

BACKGROUND NOTE

Irrigation in western Nebraska started when local residents formed the Minatare Canal & Irrigation Company in 1887.  The founders of the company were George W. Fairfield, Thomas Harshman and others.  The Minatare Irrigation Canal was constructed with little or no money. Lumber for bridges and headgates was hauled from the Wildcat Hills and sawed lumber from the Pine Ridge. The first water started flowing on August 15, 1888.  Records were kept by Joseph W. Fairfield, great grandson of George W. Fairfield.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The collection consists of one reel of microfilm containing various records relating to the building and operation of the Minatare Irrigation Canal.  The records date from 1887 to 1896 and include various ledgers, day books, etc., as well as an early history of irrigation in the North Platte Valley by Earl B. Fairfield. Also included is a letter from A.E. Sheldon of the Nebraska State Historical Society to Earl B. Sheldon.

INVENTORY

Reel 1

Item

1. 1. First Irrigation in North Platte Valley, (Early history of) by Earl B. Fairfield

1. 1. March 24, 1925 letter from A.E. Sheldon to Earl B. Fairfield

1. 1. Minatare Irrigation Canal Day Book and Papers, 1887-1896, consisting of ledger account book, records of stock shares, water rights

1. 1. Minatare Irrigation Canal Ledger Book and Papers, 1889-1893

1. 1. Minatare Irrigation Canal Record Book and Papers, 1887-1896, including articles of incorporation

1. 1. Minatare Irrigation Canal Record Book, 1889-1896.

Subject headings:

Fairfield, Earl B., 1885-1956

Irrigation — Nebraska

Minatare (Nebraska) — History

Minatare Canal & Irrigation Company (Minatare, Nebraska)

DDS/cr                    03-30-1970

nd                          06-17-1997