Newlon was named for William W. Newlon. Mr. Newlon with his wife and children arrived at Fort Buford in September 1879 aboard the steamship “Batchelor” with Captain Grant Marsh.
Newlon was the first settlement in Dawson County, an area of over 13,000 square miles. People moved into the area in increasing numbers.
Eighteen-eighty-one was a big year for the new community. Charley Adams arranged to teach school in his home. This was the first school in Dawson County.
Sidney, five miles to the north, wa growing and prospering. Newlon businesses vanished one by one. Among the last to go were the Stierle Hotel and Jake Obergfell’s saloon.
Although Newlon was truly a pioneer settlement, there was early evidence of remarkable efforts at bringing civilization and culture to the area.
Trees, including fruit trees, were planted and vegetable gardens flourshed, even in the 1880s.
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