Sherman, so named in honor of General W. T. Sherman, is the highest point on the Laramie Range reached by the railroad. It is claimed that from this point on a clear day may be seen Pikes Peak, about 165 miles and Longs Peak, 60 miles to the south, and Elk Mountain, 100 miles to the west. (Guidebook of the Western United States)
Other Names:
Altimont
County:
Albany
Feature Category:
Manmade Features
Stories:
Sherman was an important station at the summit about 3 miles north of Ames Monument. Trains all stopped there. Lord Fluen and his brother Moriston Fluen built a packing house on the theory that in the high air, it wouldn't need refrigeration. It was named after William T. Sherman. Sherman said that in 1867, when he was out here on military business, Mr. Hoxie, the chief of the surveying corps, showed him a map of the road, and said they had named a station Sherman. "Where is it?" asked the general of Mr. Hoxie. "Down here in Nebraska," replied Mr. Hoxie. "Oh, I don't want a water station named for me," said Sherman. "Why, nobody will live here. Where is the highest point on the road?" Mr. Hoxie pointed it out. It was named Altimont. "Just scratch out that name, and put down mine," said Sherman. Mr. Hoxie did so, and General Sherman is proud of Sherman station. "What name was given the station in Nebraska from which your name was taken?" we asked. "Oh, God only knows," replied the old general. "But I've heard that it contains only a water tank and a section house." (WPA)
