Baldwin Ironworks building revisited

"Like a proud woman, this old building retains a certain sense of romance even as she ages.  She was built in the late 1920's by T. L. Holding and in the 1940's Curtis Baldwin successfully manufactured grain augers here.  Over the years the rambling structure found her purpose in Whitney as a lumberyard and as a supply center for grain, feed, salt and coal." 

Artist Kit Watson of Chadron sketched this excellent likeness of the old Baldwin Ironworks building in Whitney.  It's one of the 300 or so images of area historical sites that she created over the years for calendars distributed to customers  of the First National Bank.  This sketch is among the more than 150 images in her latest book, Pine Ridge Sketches.  Our thanks to Kit Watson for her generosity in allowing us to use some of her great work on this site. 

The story of Curtis Baldwin and his brothers is a fascinating one, which we hope to tell in the future.  Their impact on agricultural harvesting equipment was significant, and Curtis Baldwin held several patents on a range of devices.  The Baldwin "Gleaner" survives even today, although it has been much revised since he introduced his version in 1923.  He also dabbled in aviation and other pursuits.

UPDATE:  In 2017 we completed a story about Curtis Baldwin and his brothers.  You can find it on the web at:  "The Baldwin Brothers...from Gleaners to Gold"

Baldwin Ironworks building revisited...

"Like a proud woman, this old building retains a certain sense of romance even as she ages.  She was built in the late 1920's by T. L. Holding and in the 1940's Curtis Baldwin successfully manufactured grain augers here.  Over the years the rambling structure found her purpose in Whitney as a lumberyard and as a supply center for grain, feed, salt and coal." 

Artist Kit Watson of Chadron sketched this excellent likeness of the old Baldwin Ironworks building in Whitney.  It's one of the 300 or so images of area historical sites that she created over the years for calendars distributed to customers  of the First National Bank.  This sketch is among the more than 150 images in her latest book, Pine Ridge Sketches.  Our thanks to Kit Watson for her generosity in allowing us to use some of her great work on this site. 

The story of Curtis Baldwin and his brothers is a fascinating one, which we hope to tell in the future.  Their impact on agricultural harvesting equipment was significant, and Curtis Baldwin held several patents on a range of devices.  The Baldwin "Gleaner" survives even today, although it has been much revised since he introduced his version in 1923.  He also dabbled in aviation and other pursuits.

Cora's Place opens for business

The idea of a coffee shop gathering place is not a new one for Whitney.

Mike Cartwright chats with a customer at Cora's Place.
(Chadron Record photo by Kerri Rempp) 

In years gone by, there’ve been coffee shops, soda fountains, and a few restaurants, too.

But recent years have not been kind to the prospect of such a gathering place  -- until now.

Whitney native Mike Cartwright  – who, during the Whitney School Resunion in May,  alluded to opening such a  a coffee shop and gathering place” – has done just that. We were delighted when Lois Douthit sent us a link to the Chadron Record story that tells about the “…new gathering spot in Whitney.”

A retired college professor, Mike has teamed up with his wife, Jeanetta, to create what they call “Cora’s Place.”

It’s an appropriate moniker, since the shop is in the same dwelling on Missouri Street that was owned by his grandparents Lewis and Cora Cartwright – hence, “Cora’s Place.”  It’s nestled between the town hall and post office on the west side of Missouri Street in downtown Whitney.

Not only does Cora’s Place bring the aroma of hot coffee to downtown Whitney, there’s also an array of antique items and artwork.   Most importantly, it brings the prospect of increased fellowship and a new sense of “community” to Whitney.

According to the Chadron Record story, Cora’s Place displays the art work of Robin Smith, Kit Watson, and Don Ruleaux.

We’re looking forwarding to visiting Cora’s Place the next time we visit Dawes County.

Read all about Cora’s Place in this Chadron Record story.