Burton is located in northern Nebraska in Keya Paha County. It is on Highway 12 just 5 miles north and 9 miles east of Springview. The post office opened for business on June 5, 1884, but closed in 1893. There are still some abandoned buildings here. According to the 2000 census, there are just 9 people leftliving in or around Burton.
Crookston is located in northern Nebraska in Cherry County. It is just 11 miles west of Valentine on Highway 20. The post office opened on December 12, 1886. the town was named for the yardmaster, W.T. Crook, of the Chicago and North Western Railroad. It had a peak population of 373 in 1930. According to the 2000 census there are still 98 people residing in the area, but it is pretty much a ghost town by many standards. Many abandoned buildings and store front are still on the main street.
Whitman is located in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills on Highway 2. It is 12 miles east of Hyannis. It was established on May 30, 1887, with the arrival of the railroad. The post office was established on September 6, 1887. It was named for Whitman, Massachussetts, by railroad officials. The Burlington Northern Railroad ran tracks through the area.
Whitman was set up as the original county seat of Grant County. But shortly after, the county seat was won by Hyannis in an election. Whitman never did pick up much momentum as a town. It never has had more than 190 people living here (highest peopulation from the 2000 census). It is in one of the least populated counties in the country, only 700 people live in all of Grant County.
It served as a cattle shipping center for the area ranchers. The railroad set up good stockyards and ranchers came from 50 or more miles to bring their cattle to be shipped from here. But currently, only coal is hauled through the area by the trains. Today, thre are still some residents here, but there are many good buildings that remind us of the days that have passed.
