Political Quotes

“I rise today in recognition of the centennial celebration for the Niobrara County Courthouse in Lusk, WY. Niobrara County residents are blessed to live in this special place. Located on the plains and rolling hills of eastern Wyoming, the county is a gateway to the Black Hills and Central Wyoming. Its 2,400 residents center around the communities of Lusk, Manville, and Van Tassell. The county was created from eastern Converse County in 1911, and Lusk was chosen as the county seat when Niobrara County was organized in 1913. The name of the county comes from the Niobrara River, which begins its journey east of Lusk. Niobrara County's story is a collection of the determined and persevering people that have called this place home for the past century. Its establishment was given a physical monument when the courthouse was built in 1920. The land on which the courthouse sits was originally donated by early rancher Frank Lusk, as a site to build the new town which bears his name. County business was first conducted in the Odd Fellows Hall, followed by the Harmony Lodge. A fire in 1919 destroyed the lodge, but not the records kept in a steel vault. Operations were moved to the basement of the First National Bank of Lusk until a new courthouse was completed. A white schoolhouse was built at the corner of 5th and Elm, believed to be the first in Lusk. When the courthouse was planned for this location, the schoolhouse was split up and moved to another block.…”