Whitney is on the map again!

(Nearly two years ago (2013), we posted this tongue-in-cheek story about the creation of "Greater Nebraska Territory," the brain-child of the late Mike Cartwright, our friend who passed away last month (5/22/15) in Whitney.  Many folks well remember Mike, who was as a good friend and a great teacher, as a man who never forgot his roots.  And he did have a sense of humor, when he proclaimed Cora's Place in Whitney as the capital of Greater Nebraska Territory!)

It's been almost four score and a decade since Whitney was a bustling community in the Nebraska panhandle -- a frontier town that boasted a bevy of businesses.  Simply put, its star was ascending and the future was bright in the early 20th century!

But following a disastrous fire in 1927, the wrath of the "Dirty 30's," and relocation of U.S. Highway 20 some years later, Whitney endured a sharp decline.   Nonetheless, even as recently as 25 years ago, in the wake of Mabel Kendrick's publishing of her book Still Alive and Well - Whitney, Nebraska, there were still vestiges of pride in this little village.  But still, the erosion has festered.

But the times are-a-changing!  One of the recent bright spots was the opening two years ago of Cora's Place, a quaint coffee shop on Missouri Street in the heart of Whitney.  Offering antiques, books, and coffee, perhaps its most important quality has been a spirit of "never say die!"  Whitney native Michael Cartwright, a long-time college professor and administrator, opened Cora's Place in August of 2011.  Its name is a tribute to his grandmother.

Maintaining residences in both Lincoln and Whitney, Mike and his wife, Jeanetta, have not only sustained Cora's Place, but we learned during a visit earlier this month that they now offer a tasty sandwich for those who may have a bit of an appetite.  But still, their real product is a cozy environment where locals and visitors can congregate at mid-day to enjoy some classic vinyl music, read a book or magazine, grab a bite, have some coffee, and most importantly -- bask in a bit of warm fellowship.

But now add a dash of tongue-in-cheek politics.  Conversations may divert to a rekindled notion of west Nebraska autonomy.  But wait a minute -- that notion has expanded to something that has a rather nice ring to it: Greater Nebraska Territory!  The map above shows the lay of the new political landscape, and Greater Nebraska seems to be accorded its proper position relative to both Baja Nebraska and the far eastern provinces Where the East Peters Out.  The map and related posters appear to have been the handiwork of Mike Cartwright and some of his confederates.

As fate would have it, Whitney has been declared the Territorial Capital of Greater Nebraska, and Cora's Place at 3305 Missouri Street seems to be the seat of the virtually non-existent government.

What's wrong with that?  

Nothing.

We'll try to publish political postings as Greater Nebraska Territory evolves, including updates on the Territory's "No-Coast Coast Guard," which provides all necessary protection from heathen forces in the alien lands that surround our beloved territory.

Whitney's Mike Cartwright dies at age 72

by Larry Miller

Whitney native Mike Cartwright died unexpectedly on Friday (5/22/15) at his home in Whitney, Nebraska.  He was 72.  Services are planned for 2:00 p.m. this Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at the Warring Memorial United Methodist Church in Whitney.

Growing up in Whitney, Nebraska

A long-time college professor and administrator, Mike was born in Crawford and grew up on the Cartwright farm and ranch operation just outside of Whitney, where his grandfather had homesteaded in 1891.  He attended Whitney School through eighth grade, then attended high school in Chadron.  He was a 1960 graduate of Chadron High School.  Mike attended Chadron State College for a couple of years before transferring to the University of Nebraska, where he would earn his bachelor's, master's, and finally a Ph.D. in 1970.

Dr. Michael P. Cartwright then became an English professor at California State University-Bakersfield, where he remained for 13 years.  By 1983, he was serving as Chairman of the English Department and Assistant to the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences when an opportunity opened for a return to his Nebraska roots and a teaching job at Chadron State College.  He remained at CSC for 24 before retiring.

Ten years ago this month — in May of 2005 — Mike was awarded the Chadron State College Teaching Excellence Award.  At that time, CSC Director of Information Con Marshall wrote a comprehensive story about Mike's impressive career:  Award recipient's strategy seeks student interaction.  

Not only was Mike Cartwright an outstanding teacher, he also served three years as Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences while at CSC, and he was instrumental in helping revitalize the struggling Mari Sandoz Heritage Society.

Professor Mike Cartwright

In 2006, Mike served as a director for the Nebraska Festival of the Books, and the organization included a short biographical sketch of him in their newsletter.  In part, they wrote:  "Mike is a bicoastal Nebraskan, splitting his time between Whitney and Lincoln. An eight-hour drive across the state is a normal day for Mike. Having found the route with only two stoplights between Lincoln and Whitney, he is now searching for the one with fewer than three stop signs. One day it's 501s, cowboy boots, and his dad's '59 Ford truck. The next it's tweed jackets, suede shoes, and a briefcase. In a given week, he might help a neighbor drive cattle to the Fort Robinson Wood Reserve, teach world literature to undergraduates at Chadron State College, and lounge at the Coffee House in downtown Lincoln. Now, he may also be found directing the Nebraska Book Festival and reading for the Nebraska Library Commission's Talking Book and Braille Service."  That was quintessential Mike — something of a Renaissance man.

It's fair to say that Mike was also a rancher/farmer, too, albeit part-time.  He retained his parent's property just outside of Whitney, as well as his grandmother's old house in downtown Whitney.

A personal note or two.  I first knew Mike when we were in high school together at Chadron High.  He was an outstanding student, winning honors in English, but also competing effectively as a halfback on the Cardinal football team and was part of the Two-Mile Relay track team that set a new record in 1960.  He was an officer in the "C" Club and was also among those selected for Regents Scholarship honors. Mike had a key role in the 1960 CHS production of  Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Carousel" at Memorial Hall.  Teachers Ron and Jane Becker had spearheaded the production.  Alas, Mike is among several cast members who have since died.

It was after we had both retired that Mike and I rekindled our friendship.  Although he and his wife Jeanetta lived in Lincoln, he loved coming back out to Dawes County and spending time on the place outside Whitney where he had grown up.  We shared an appreciation of our Whitney heritage, and Mike took steps to try to help revive the little village.  He generously offered numerous Whitney photos from his family albums to be used in the "Whitney Yesteryear" video we produced a few years back. 

Whitney proclaimed capitol of Greater Nebraska

Mike Cartwright had a wonderful sense of humor.  Part of it was reflected in his marketing of Whitney as the "Capitol of Greater Nebraska," that part of the state west of Grand Island.  He produced posters, certificates, and even coffee mugs — one of them beckoning folks to "Join Now! Greater Nebraska No-Coast Guard!"  We have featured some of his tongue-in-cheek initiatives, and you can read a bit about them in our Whitney Photo Gallery.

But wait a minute.  The capitol city of the Territory of Greater Nebraska should have a meeting place! But there had been no store or filling station in Whitney for several years — no place to even congregate for a cup of coffee and conversation.  So in 2011, Mike and his wife Jeanetta decided to open "Cora's Place." With able assistance from fellow Whitney resident Budge Cripps, Mike made several improvements to the house on Missouri Street once owned by his great-grandmother and opened a coffee shop and lending library.

Cora's Place offered not only coffee and conversation, but antiques and artwork, too.  The front room was outfitted with a stereo system and some great music, too. The shop was named in honor of his grandmother Cora (Cripps) Cartwright.  They created a small lending library, and books were checked out on the honor system.  We understand Mike was planning to open "Cora's Place" today  — Memorial Day— just as he had done the last few years.  While it was no threat to Starbucks — for the local and area folks who stopped in for coffee and conversation, Cora's Place was a very special place, indeed. We shall miss it.  

And we'll certainly miss Mike Cartwright.  

Our condolences to Mike's wife, Jeanetta, and his two sisters, Nancy Hamer and family of Mankato, Minnesota, and Evelyn Geu and family of Sidney, Nebraska.

Mike Cartwright obituary

A sharper image of the Whitney Depot

Thanks to Mike Cartwright for sharing this sharper image of the photo that was posted earlier (see below).  Notes on the photograph indicate that folks were waiting for a special Chicago & Northwestern train to take them to the Dawes County Fair in Chadron.  Believed to have been taken in 1912.

Whitney is on the map again!

(Nearly two years ago, we posted this tongue-in-cheek story about the creation of "Greater Nebraska Territory," the brain-child of the late Mike Cartwright, our friend who passed away last month (May 2015) in Whitney.  Many folks well remember Mike, who was as a good friend and a great teacher, as a man who never forgot his roots.  And he did have a sense of humor, when he proclaimed Cora's Place in Whitney as the capital of Greater Nebraska Territory!)

It's been almost four score and a decade since Whitney was a bustling community in the Nebraska panhandle -- a frontier town that boasted a bevy of businesses.  Simply put, its star was ascending and the future was bright in the early 20th century!

But following a disastrous fire in 1927, the wrath of the "Dirty 30's," and relocation of U.S. Highway 20 some years later, Whitney endured a sharp decline.   Nonetheless, even as recently as 25 years ago, in the wake of Mabel Kendrick's publishing of her book Still Alive and Well - Whitney, Nebraska, there were still vestiges of pride in this little village.  But still, the erosion has festered.

But the times are-a-changing!  One of the recent bright spots was the opening two years ago of Cora's Place, a quaint coffee shop on Missouri Street in the heart of Whitney.  Offering antiques, books, and coffee, perhaps its most important quality has been a spirit of "never say die!"  Whitney native Michael Cartwright, a long-time college professor and administrator, opened Cora's Place in August of 2011.  Its name is a tribute to his grandmother.

Maintaining residences in both Lincoln and Whitney, Mike and his wife, Jeanetta, have not only sustained Cora's Place, but we learned during a visit earlier this month that they now offer a tasty sandwich for those who may have a bit of an appetite.  But still, their real product is a cozy environment where locals and visitors can congregate at mid-day to enjoy some classic vinyl music, read a book or magazine, grab a bite, have some coffee, and most importantly -- bask in a bit of warm fellowship.

But now add a dash of tongue-in-cheek politics.  Conversations may divert to a rekindled notion of west Nebraska autonomy.  But wait a minute -- that notion has expanded to something that has a rather nice ring to it: Greater Nebraska Territory!  The map above shows the lay of the new political landscape, and Greater Nebraska seems to be accorded its proper position relative to both Baja Nebraska and the far eastern provinces Where the East Peters Out.  The map and related posters appear to have been the handiwork of Mike Cartwright and some of his confederates.

As fate would have it, Whitney has been declared the Territorial Capital of Greater Nebraska, and Cora's Place at 3305 Missouri Street seems to be the seat of the virtually non-existent government.

What's wrong with that?  

Nothing.

We'll try to publish political postings as Greater Nebraska Territory evolves, including updates on the Territory's "No-Coast Coast Guard," which provides all necessary protection from heathen forces in the alien lands that surround our beloved territory.

Cora's Place...more than meets the eye

Cora's Place in Whitney

We were a bit late in the season to be visiting, but we finally made it to Cora's Place in Whitney earlier this month -- just before it closed for the season.

But it was well worth the special trip.

Mike Cartwright opened the business this summer to help give Whitney folks a place to relax and visit a bit, while enjoying coffee or a soft drink.  Much to our delight he also offers some interesting antiques and wonderful art work by area artists.

When we arrived on Labor Day, there were about a dozen folks relaxing and visiting.

Of particular interest was the remarkable quilt on display in the parlor, upon which were stitched the names of the lady members of the Whitney Church from more than a half century ago.  Perhaps they were members of the Women's Society of Christian Service, and we're not sure what year the quilt was finished.  Sharon Cripps has recorded the names, and maybe one day soon we'll be able to learn more about this wonderful artifact of Whitney history.

We found of copy of George Simon's "The Big Bands" lying on the coffee table, along with a fine array of other books that are available for checkout to local citizens.  A lending library of sorts......a great idea.

Naomi Galey and Sharon Cripps (right) admire
this historic quilt displayed at Cora's Place.

Sharon Cripps and Marta Myers were engaged in a conversation about quilting, and the table in the front room was the focal point more conversation.  We snapped a few photos during our visit; take a peek in our Whitney Reflections Gallery.

It's been a long time since Whitney has had a gathering place like this, and we hope that when it reopens in the spring that it'll again be warmly welcomed by the community.

To be sure, Whitney will never again be the vibrant community it was in the 1920's and '30's, but we believe it can be more than it is.  Mike Cartwright believes it can be, too, and he's done something about it.

For those of you who sojourn into Wyoming from time to time -- here's a challenge.  As you may find yourself driving along U.S. 26 through Guernsey -- or perhaps down Wyoming 270 -- take a few minutes to drive through Sunrise, Wyoming.  It's only about five minutes from Guernsey, but it's worth the side trip!

We don't know who the folks are who live in Sunrise or nearby Hartville (just east of WY-270) but they've done a wonderful job of sprucing up the village.  We're told it was once a mining town that fell on hard times.  That's a common story.

Less common is the work those residents obviously have done to re-invent their community, making it a quaint locale and a fun place to visit.

We think Whitney's history is every bit as interesting, and with the addition of Cora's Place along Missouri Street, we may be seeing the first step of another little town that has awakened to some great possibilities.

We plan to be knocking on the door when Cora's Place opens next spring!