Willa Cather's family moves into a rented house in Red Cloud, Nebraska (pop. 2,500), now known as the Willa Cather House. Here she spends her formative years living among immigrants working the land.
1888
Fifteen-year-old Willa Cather decides to become a surgeon. She cuts her hair short, dresses in men's clothes, and refers to herself as "Wm. Cather, M.D." or "William Cather, Jr."
1916
During a visit to Red Cloud, Willa Cather decides to write a book based on the life of her childhood friend Anna Pavelka: My Antonia.
1928
Willa Cather returns to Red Cloud, Nebraska, after her father dies. Her mother suffers a stroke.
