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Historical markers along the byway highlight the fascinating and sometimes tragic stories of significant historical events.
(Click the to open the marker location.)
California Hill
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After fording the South Platte the emigrants face a steep climb up a large hill that became known as California Hill. During their passage, the wheels of thousands of wagons left deep ruts that can still be seen today.
Cowboy Capital
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Leaving the South Platte near here, the trail continued up the North Platte Valley, today the route of U.S. 26. Beginning in 1841, an estimated quarter of a million travelers crossed the plains on this route.
Boot Hill
Cowboys who met an unfortunate fate were buried here with their boots on. A brochure available at the base of the cemetery will give you a self guided tour of the individuals buried and their stories.
Tri-Trails Park
Tri-Trails Park is located at the geographic crossing of three major historic trails that passed through Keith County, Nebraska during the 1800s: the Oregon Trail, Pony Express Trail and the Great Western Cattle Trail.
John Hollman
Grave
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Only seven identifiable graves remain of an estimated at least 20,000 persons died on the overland trail. This averages ten graves per mile over the 2,000 mile trail.
Frogs Head
Bluff
Pioneer travelers who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could see imaginary characters in the topographical features. One of these was the image of a frog in a rock outcropping.
Narcissa Whitman
Narcissa Whitman, trail-blazer and martyred missionary, is one of the great heroines of the frontier West.
Amanda
Lamme
On June 23, 1850, twenty-eight-year-old Amanda Lamme, a California-bound emigrant, died of cholera and was buried near here in what is now private pastureland.
Mud Springs
Pony Express Station
The spring at this site represented the first significant opportunity for obtaining water in a 24-mile stretch of barren overland trail. In 1860, the Pony Express established this station.
Ficklin Springs
Pony Express Station
About a mile west of Melbeta, an unnamed pony station was later named Ficklin’s Springs, for Benjamin F. Ficklin, superintendent of the entire Pony Express route.
Fort Mitchell
Pony Express Station
Located near Scotts Bluff National Monument, Fort Mitchell was named in honor of General Robert B. Mitchell and was established to protect emigrants on the Oregon Trail.
Horse Creek
Pony Express
Station
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The Horse Creek Station site is most likely located on the west bank of Horse Creek, about two miles northeast of Lyman, in Scotts Bluff County. The station served as a stop for the Pony Express.
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Rebecca Winters
Grave
Rebecca Winters, a Mormon Pioneer died of Cholera and was buried here near present day Scottsbluff.
Courthouse &
Jail Rocks
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Courthouse and Jail Rocks are two of the most famous landmarks of western migration. Nearby passed the Oregon-California Trail, the Mormon Trail and the Pony Express Route.
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