VAGABOND TRAVELER

FOLLOWING THE PIONEERS WEST IN NEBRASKA

By Mary Emma Allen

The Great Platte River Road Monument near Kearney provides an interactive experience related to the river Photo Credit Nebraska Dept. of Tourism

The Grant Platte River Road, as the broad and meandering Platte River plain running westward through Nebraska became known. long has served as a national route across the prairie.  This area is rich in history, with evidence of the fur trappers' paths, the Oregon, Mormon, and California trails, the Pony Express, the Overland Stage route, Union and Pacific Railroad and Western Telegraph.

When the modern traveler is wandering west, he finds, as did the pioneers, that the Great Platte River Road is one of the most direct routes across the prairie - one filled with new and interesting sights.  Interstate 80 follows the southern side of the Platte River, as did many of the pioneer trails, but we've also traveled Nebraska Route 30, on the northern bank, which takes you along the Mormon Trail route and through the many towns that have grown up along this waterway.  My family and I have driven Route 26, too, along the North Platte in western Nebraska where some of the pioneer trails left the Platte.

The Great Platte River Road saw numerous westward travelers - from the fur trappers in the early 1800s to modern man in his auto, van, motor home or 18-wheeler.  Many forts were constructed in the area, and the pioneer farmer established his hold on the land as well. One impressive aspect of the modern Platte River Road is the 500-mile Sculpture Garden along I-80.  As one passes from the long grass prairie of the east to the short grasslands of western Nebraska, the miles are broken by the "museum without walls" found at rest stops along the way.

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer in Grand Island Photo Credit Nebraska Dept. of Tourism

The Oregon Trail

The history buff will enjoy discovering the Oregon Trail across Nebraska.  Some portions still are visible after more than 100 years.  This famous westward trail entered the state in the southeast and left it in the northwest beyond Scottsbluff.  But for many miles, it followed the Platte River, then the North Platte.

Some enjoyable sites along the trail:  Windlass Hill with it's deep wagon ruts, where the wagons made a precipitous descent; Ash Hollow where the pioneers stopped for fresh water from the spring; Chimney Rock, with its distinctive needlelike shape; and Scotts Bluff, which we've climbed both on foot and by auto to enjoy the view from the summit.

The Mormon Trail & Others

The Mormon Trail followed the northern side of the Platte, from Omaha to Ash Hollow, where it encountered the Oregon Trail.  One of the areas of interest along Route 30 is the Mormon Island Wayside Park.

The Pony Express route wound through Nebraska, and you can see some of the restored stations.  The one at Gothenburg originally was located on the trail, but was moved to the city park, where interesting items from that era are displayed.

Pioneer Reenactors in Nebraska Photo Credit Nebraska Dept. of Tourism

Museums of Nebraska's History

Museums extolling Nebraska's history abound throughout the Platte River region.  Also, the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park at North Platte is the site of Buffalo Bill Cody's ranch, built in 1878. 

Fort Kearney played a vital role in our Western settlement.  At this former outpost n the trail west, now called the Fort Kearney State Historical Park are recreations...a stockade, blacksmith shop and other buildings.

Settled by hearty pioneers who braved the hot summers and cold winters, lived in sod houses and carved out homes on the prairie, Nebraska, my family and I discovered, has an aura that brings one back for more explorations.

For more information, check out the Nebraska Division of Travel and Tourism .