Red Cloud

Red Cloud, located in Webster County and only a short distance from the Republican River, is steeped in generations of history. Cather's timeless words can still be heard on the town's streets. Many of the homes, buildings, and other locations featured prominently in Cather's novels can still be visited. Residents are proud that their small town has the largest living memorial to an author in the United States. The Nebraska State Historical Society owns and operates seven buildings in Red Cloud, which are open for tours.

Red Cloud, with a population of just over 1,000 people, is a charming small town that was once home to Willa Cather, one of America's greatest Pulitzer Prize-winning writers. Willa Cather frequently depicted life on the great plains, bringing not only great interest to the region but also highlighting issues that were specific to the region. Because she was such a well-known figure, Red Cloud established the Willa Cather Foundation, which offers a tour of seven significant buildings. There's also the Willa Cather Memorial Prairie, a lovely open space that served as inspiration for many of Willa Cather's novels.

The Willa Cather Foundation offers tours and information about approximately 50 sites related to Cather's life and work. There are several tours to choose from, each with a slightly different experience. Whether you take a guided or self-guided tour, the history of this special place will captivate you. A large number of the town's structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The beautifully preserved architecture is stunning on its own, even if you don't know about the story associated with each building.