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BYWAY 136
Nebraska’s Heritage Highway
NEMAHA • JOHNSON • GAGE • JEFFERSON • THAYER
NUCKOLLS • WEBSTER • FRANKLIN • HARLAN • FURNAS
CORRIDOR COUNTIES - PAWNEE • RED WILLOW • RICHARDSON • SALINE • OTOE
WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About the covers
BYWAY 136
Nebraska’s Heritage Highway
Welcome ............................... 3
NEMAHA • JOHNSON • GAGE • JEFFERSON • THAYER
NUCKOLLS • WEBSTER • FRANKLIN • HARLAN • FURNAS
Native Americans................. 4
CORRIDOR COUNTIES - PAWNEE • RED WILLOW • RICHARDSON • SALINE • OTOE
WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COM
Barn Quilts of Nebraska .... 5 Church at Gilead, Nebraska - Thayer County
Central point of Byway 136
Photo courtesy of Michael Forsberg –
Nemaha County................. 6-8 Nebraska Tourism
Johnson County ............. 9-10
Gage County ................... 11-13
Jefferson County ...........14-15
Thayer County ................16-17
Nuckolls County ........... 18-19
Map ..................................20-21
Huge Flea Market/Garage Sale Event
Webster County ............. 22-23 the First Weekend in October
First Rural Mail Delivery Sign at Tecumseh, Nebraska
Franklin County.................24
Trail of Treasures is our Flea Market/Garage Sale
Event held the first weekend of October
Harlan County .............. 25-27
Furnas County...............28-29
Corridor Counties ....... 30-39
This 2017 Nebraska’s Scenic Byway 136 Guide was funded in part by a
Grant from Nebraska State Tourism and was published for the Heritage
2 WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COM Highway Committee by Courtside Marketing, 402-590-8093, Blair, Neb.
WELCOME
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U.S. Highway 136 received recognition in 1999 when then Highway 136 has a rich history as it was one of the trails used
Governor Mike Johanns named it Byway 136. In the early part of by the Native Americans, pioneers and settlers who migrated
the 20th century it was State Highway #3 and was known as the through Nebraska in the 1800s. Within this 238 mile journey are
“Goldenrod Highway.” several historic sites, state recreation areas, orchards, wineries,
The “Heritage Highway” name was selected by a group several natural prairie areas and many water-related hot sports.
of tourism promoters in 1994 to represent the route from The Homestead National Monument at Beatrice and the
Brownville to Red Cloud and then north to Hastings. This group Willa Cather State Historic Site at Red Cloud are nationally
produced the first “Heritage Highway” brochure featuring many known. Two sections of the Byway are named for famous
of the historic attractions in the counties along the route. and not-so-famous gentlemen. The Colonel Barney Oldfield
When the new Nebraska Byway program was announced Memorial Highway extends from the east Nemaha/Johnson
in 1998, the Highway 136 nominating committee decided to County line west to the junction of Highway 136 and 50 at the
keep the name: Heritage Highway. The route was limited to eastern edge of Tecumseh. The Robert Taylor Memorial Highway
Highway 136 and now extends from Brownville in Nemaha extends from Filley to Beatrice on Highway 136. The Oregon
County westward 238 miles to Edison in Furnas County. This Trail is rich in history and the Republican River offers majestic
route (going from east to west as the earliest trails did) includes views and water related activities. Brownville is a great tourism
the 10 counties of Nemaha, Johnson, Gage, Jefferson, Thayer, destination.
Nuckolls, Webster, Franklin, Harlan and Furnas. This magazine Prominent features of our corridor counties: Otoe: Nebraska
will follow that same pattern. Since 1999, five corridor counties City is the home of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor
have expressed interest in being part of Byway 136. They are Day; Pawnee: Pawnee City has a large Amish settlement; Red
Otoe, Pawnee, Red Willow, Richardson and Saline. Willow: the home of Senator George Norris, the founder of the
In 2012, the first Trail of Treasures Flea Market/Garage Sale Rural Electrification Association (REA); Richardson: Falls City is
event was held. This event has grown each year and is becoming the home of John Falter, nationally recognized artist and Saline:
a tourism destination for many travelers, both in Nebraska and Wilber is home of the nationally recognized Czech Festival.
out of state. Byway 136 has a great deal to offer. Plan a trip to see the
The Byway 136 members are working on Trail of Authors, Arts many historic sites, the beauty of the countryside and attend
and Architecture, Trail of Photos, Trail of Cemeteries/Churches festivals and/or flea markets as part of your destination.
and Trail of Historic Markers, in branding our Byway as “Re-blaze See you on the Trail!
the Trail.”Our membership categories have various Trailblazer
titles depending on the membership payment. Judy Coe
Judy Coe, President
RE-BLAZE THE TRAIL • NEBRASKA BYWAY 136 1-888-404-1315 3
NATIVE AMERICANS IN NEBRASKA
Many places in Nebraska are named after Native Americans, including our state. Nebraska gets its name from the Oto-
Missourias. It is from two Oto-Missouria words “Ni-Brathge” (nee BRAHTH-gay) which means “water flat.” This name came from
the Platte River which flows through the state and at some places moves so slowly and calmly that it is flat. The Omaha also claim
origins for “Nebraska” as they share a common Siouan language base.
To learn more about the history of Native Americans in Nebraska and their challenges with the white man, read “I Am a Man” by
Joe Starita and “An Unspeakable Sadness” by David J. Wishart.
To learn more about Nebraska Tribal history, check out the Nebraska Commission for Indian Affairs' website
at indianaffairs.state.ne.us.
Two towns along Heritage Highway 136 have Native American names – Tecumseh and Red Cloud. Attractions also carry Native
American names as in the name Indian Cave in Richardson County.
Heritage Highway 136 is very active in promoting our Native Americans. Our monthly meeting agenda includes a Native
American report.
Chief Standing Bear was born on the banks of the Niobrara The summer buffalo hunt was the high point in the year for the
River in Nebraska where the Ponca people peaceably lived. Pawnee. The 1873 hunt was a massive affair, and was to prove to
In 1877, by federal treaty, Chief Standing Bear and the Ponca be the last of the great buffalo hunts. Sky Chief, Sun Chief and
tribe were forcibly removed from their homeland in Nebraska to Fighting Bear were the leaders of a great Pawnee expedition,
Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma. perhaps numbering some 250 warriors plus 100 women and 50
Chief Standing Bear and the Ponca people walked over 500 children. Their objective was to hunt buffalo along the banks of
miles from Nebraska to Oklahoma, enduring the hardships of the Republican River.
travel, illness and the conditions of Indian Territory. Early in the morning of August 4, 1873, the Pawnee hunters
Sadly, many members of the tribe perished during the first began their hunt, moving north, up the divide, between the
year, including Chief Standing Bear’s son, Bear Shield. His dying Republican and Frenchman Rivers, followed closely by the women
wish to his father was to be buried in his homelands along the and children who processed the buffalo kills. Sky Chief had just
Niobrara River. killed a buffalo and was in the process of skinning the animal
Determined to grant his son his dying wish, Chief Standing when an advance guard of a Sioux war party came upon the
Bear led thirty members, including women and children, on the scene and killed him, thus beginning the battle that we know
long 500 mile walk back to their home in Nebraska, only to be today as the Battle at Massacre Canyon.
arrested just short of their homeland and imprisoned at Fort It was not much of a battle. Massacre is an apt name. Sioux
Omaha for leaving the reservation. warriors, with a 4-to-1 advantage over the Pawnee, quickly
In May of 1879, with the help of local attorneys, Chief joined the advance party. While Pawnee warriors, women and
Standing Bear sued the federal government seeking his freedom children dropped everything and fled down the canyon toward
and right to return to his homeland. In his courtroom speech to the Republican, Sioux warriors from the Brule and Ogalala Sioux
the judge, Chief Standing Bear pleaded: “That hand is not the tribes rode along the ridges, on either side of the canyon, firing
color of yours, but if I pierce it, I shall feel pain. If you pierce your down on fleeing warriors, women and children. When the carnage
hand, you also feel pain. The blood that will flow from mine will ended, Sky Chief and 69 Pawnee warriors, women and children
be of the same color as yours. I am a man. The same God made were dead (some reports say as many as 150), as the result of the
us both.” Sioux attack. It is generally conceded that only six Sioux warriors
Chief Standing Bear was victorious in court that day, where died in the battle.
for the first time the court found that Indians are persons within The Battle at Massacre Canyon was an important event in the
the meaning of the law. history of the west. It was the last inter-tribal battle in Nebraska. It
Work is being done on the Chief Standing Bear trail which signaled the last great buffalo hunt. It caused the Pawnee to give
goes through Saline and Gage Counties. Plans are to eventually up their Nebraska reservation, in exchange for land in the Indian
have Federal Designation as the Chief Standing Bear National Territory. It caused the Pawnee to leave Nebraska, their traditional
Historic Trail. home, and move to the Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma.
4 WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COM
BARN QUILTS IN NEBRASKA
Barn quilts are becoming more popular as communities are seeing their value as a tourism tool.
Several counties along Byway 136 have them in their communities.
Shown below are a few along the first five counties as you travel from Brownville west to Edison.
The Corridor Counties of Pawnee, Richardson and Saline also are included.
We hope to have barn quilts in the five counties of Nuckolls, Webster, Franklin, Furnas and Harlan
as well as the Corridor County of Red Willow in the near future.
NEMAHA COUNTY JOHNSON COUNTY GAGE COUNTY
TILTED TULIP DOUBLE WEDDING RING CRAYON BOX PATTERN
NORTH SIDE OF AUBURN SENIOR COE-COE BROADCASTERS GAGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
CENTER – HIGHWAY 75 & 11TH ST., 175 S. 3RD, TECUMSEH 1115 W. SCOTT RD., BEATRICE
AUBURN
JEFFERSON COUNTY THAYER COUNTY
VARIATION OF STAR PATTERN CROSSED CANOES
JANE & ROBERT BAKEWELL RHONDA BURKHART
47119 707TH, FAIRBURY 7012 ROAD 5, ALEXANDRIA
RICHARDSON COUNTY PAWNEE COUNTY SALINE COUNTY
SILLY CHICKEN FAMILY SAMPLER UNKNOWN NAME
NANCY CHAPMAN VANCE AND JEANNETTE ULMER NANCY LINHART
65246 710 ROAD, FALLS CITY 61782 HIGHWAY 8, PAWNEE CITY 2405 STATE HIGHWAY #41, WILBER
RE-BLAZE THE TRAIL • NEBRASKA BYWAY 136 1-888-404-1315 5
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NEMAHA COUNTY 4
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Auburn • Brock • Brownville • Johnson • Julian • Nemaha • Peru
Fun Facts about Dr. Spurgin’s Dental Office
Julian Nemaha County 222 Main St.
· Nebraska State Fair was held in
Flatwater FolkArt Museum
Brock Peru Brownville in 1870-1871.
· Half Breed Tract is located just east of 7th & Main St.
Johnson Brownville
Auburn
Auburn. It was a reservation set aside 402-825-4371
for offspring of Native Americas and fur
traders. The original towns of Calvert Governor Furnas Museum
Nemaha and Sheridan became Auburn. 230 S. 6th St. & Water St.
· Nemaha County is represented by a 44
on Nebraska license plates. Sage Memorial Museum
· January 1, 1863, Daniel Freeman filed 213 Main St.
the first claim under the Homestead Act
Auburn Chamber of Commerce
for land in Nebraska at the Brownville Schoolhouse Art Gallery & Nature
1101 J Street
402.274.3521
land office. Center
www.auburnnechamber.org 427 Main St.
ATTRACTIONS 402-274-4146
History of Nemaha County
In the mid-1800s westward expansion AUBURN The Furnas Arboretum
started to bring many people to the 5th & Main St.
Nemaha County Courthouse
Nebraska territory to settle. Nemaha 402-825-6637
1824 N St.
County was found to be a convenient
location due to its proximity to the The Land Office
Missouri River.
Nemaha County Veterans Memorial
2nd & Main St.
There were many early settlements Hwy. 75 & 10th St.
including Brownville, Glen Rock, London, The Meriwether Lewis Dredge
Nemaha City, Saint George, Peru, Nemaha Valley Museum Museum
Middleport, Center, Saint Frederick, 1423 19th St. 402-825-3982
Sheridan and Calvert. 402-274-2608
During the first regular session of The Wheel Museum
the Territorial Legislature on March 7, BROWNVILLE 219 Main St.
1855, Nemaha County was named and 1854 Didier Log Cabin 402-825-6001
its boundaries were set (except for the 2nd & Main St.
western one). It was named Nemaha
402-825-6001 PERU
because of the Nemaha River that runs Peru Museum
from the northwest to the southeast 5th & California St.
Brownville Village Theater
corners of the county. Nemaha County is
402-825-4121
about 399 square miles. Peru State College and the Campus
Brownville was declared the first of a Thousand Oaks Arboretum
county seat in 1855. The county seat was Brownville Concert Series
600 Hoyt St.
an issue of much debate and saw many N. 2nd & Atlantic St.
¹-800-74²-44¹²
appearances on the ballot for relocation 402-825-3331
of the county seat. The idea was defeated
many times, however, in 1883, the voters Brownville Depot & Railroad Museum PLACES TO STAY
elected to move the county seat to the Hwy. 136 & Main St.
newly formed Auburn. 402-825-6001 AUBURN
The community of Auburn decided to Arbor Manor Steakhouse & Motel
build a limestone courthouse on Captain Bailey House Museum 1617 Central Ave.
“Court House Square” and used native 4th & Main St. 402-274-3663
rock quarried from Rohrs. The 402-825-6001 www.arbormanorsteakhouseandmotel.com
Cornerstone was laid on May 25, 1900
and was completed in December 1900. Carson House Auburn Inn (Motel & RV Park)
3rd & Main St. 517 J St.
402-825-6001 402-274-3143
www.auburnnemotels.com
6 WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COM
NEMAHA COUNTY
City of Auburn RV Park
(Open April 1— October 31)*
*Stays limited to no more than 4
consecutive nights*
6th St. & Q St.
402-274-3420
Grand Central Hotel
1114 J St.
402-274-3148
www.grandcentralhotelauburn.com
Palmer House Motel
1918 J St.
402-274-3193
www.auburnmotels.com
BROWNVILLE
Pierce Cottage
402-825-4924
River Inn Resort (River Boat & RV Park)
72895 648A Ave.
402-825-6441
Chapel at Coryell Park near Brock
www.river-inn-resort.com
The Cottage
Legion Memorial Park PERU
Hwy 75 & 10th St. Neal Park
402-882-2690
Park Ave. and Neal St.
Rotary Island & Optimist Lake
PERU Hwy 75 & 7th St. Sid Brown Memorial Park
Cabin at Honey Creek & Splash Pad
402-872-7275 BROCK 4th & California St.
Coryell Park
73206 633 Ave. (Johnson) Steamboat Trace Trailhead
RECREATION North Entrance Park Ave. & 5th St.
AUBURN BROWNVILLE
Auburn Country Club Golf Course Boettner Park PLACES TO EAT
72722 Hwy. 75 2nd & Main St.
402-274-4500 402-825-6001 AUBURN
Amigos
Auburn Recreational Complex Brownville State Recreation Area 1002 J St.
6th & Q St. 65296 720 Rd. 402-274-2442
402-274-3420 402-833-2575
Arbor Manor Steakhouse
Auburn Dog Park Steamboat Trace Trailhead 1617 Central St.
6th & Q St. South Entrance 402-274-3663
65296 720 Rd.
Bowldog Alley Bowldog Alley
1818 Central Ave. JOHNSON 1818 Central St.
402-274-1310 Sportsman Park
402-274-1310
West End of 2nd St.
Crestview Mini Park Casey’s Carryout Pizza
26th & Kuhlmann Ave. NEMAHA 2208 J St.
Indian Cave State Park
402-274-3722
Irvin Park & Ariens Disc Golf Course 65296 720 Rd. (Shubert)
14th & Q St. 402-883-2575
RE-BLAZE THE TRAIL • NEBRASKA BYWAY 136 1-888-404-1315 7
NEMAHA COUNTY
NEMAHA
Nemaha Country Market
501 1st St.
402-824-5655
Ruthie’s Route 67
502 1st St.
402-824-5021
PERU
Casey’s Pizza
73416 644A Ave.
402-872-3041
Zach’s Bar & Grill
605 5th St.
402-872-8050
STATE HISTORICAL
MARKERS
Auburn Post Office Mural
1936
Located in Auburn inside Post Office
Marker #495
Half-Breed Tract
Established 1830
Downtown Peru. Photo courtesy of Peru State College.
Located on Hwy 136,1/2 mile east of
Auburn Marker #58
Dairy Sweet Subway
620 J St. 2322 Dahlke Ave. Nemaha County Courthouse
402-274-3359 402-274-3030 Cornerstone May 25, 1900
Located in Auburn on Courthouse
Dutch Pantry
2402 J St. BROWNVILLE grounds Marker #477
402-274-1102 Rivertowne Ice Creame Shop Lewis & Clark Campsite
121 Main St. July 15, 1804
El Portal Mexican Restaurant 402-274-1723 Located in Brownville State Recreation
1905 J St. Area Marker #338
402-274-1414 Spirit of Brownville
72895 648A Ave. Muir House
Great China Buffet 402-825-6441 Erected 1868-1870
1300 Courthouse Ave. Located in Brownville Marker #52
402-274-3672 TJ’s Tavern
105 N 1st St. Nebraska State Teachers’ Association
Hickory Road BBQ & Catering 402-825-9902 October 16, 1867
914 Central Ave. Located at Brownville Public School
402-274-9988 JOHNSON Marker #417
Johnson Quik Stop
108 Main St. Village of Brownville
Pizza Hut
402-868-4305 Established 1854
909 Alden Dr.
Located in City Park in Brownville
402-274-4391
Huckleberry’s Bar & Grill Marker #159
Sonic Drive-Inn 218 Main St.
402-868-4675 Peru State College
1010 J St. June 20, 1867
402-274-3321 Located in Peru on campus Marker #80
8 WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COM
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JOHNSON COUNTY 1
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COOK • CRAB ORCHARD • ELK CREEK • ST. MARY • STERLING • TECUMSEH
Johnson County Courthouse. Photo courtesy Judy Coe.
Tecumseh was founded in 1856 located one block north of downtown on
Cook
and was located at the intersection 4th Street is that it is said to have cannon
of the Nebraska City- Marysville and balls in the walls.
Brownville- Fort Kearny Trails. Today it is Cook was known as the “Artesian City”
Sterling St. Mary
the intersection of U.S. Highways 136 and because of the numerous artesian wells
State Highway 50. in the area. It was a combination of Bob
Tecumseh
Because Tecumseh was a crossroads, Town, Spring Creek and Helena. Cook was
in the early days there were seven trails founded in 1888 when the Missouri Pacific
that traversed through Johnson County. Railroad was extended to that point. It
Crab Orchard
Elk Creek In addition to the two listed above, there was named for Andrew Cook, the original
were Nebraska City –Beatrice, Tecumseh- owner of the town site.
St. Joseph, Pawnee City-Lincoln, Salt Winning national recognition as “Best
For more information Creek and Settlement Trails. Small Town in America” in 1992 brought
call 402-335-0745 or email Tecumseh was also home to a some well-deserved attention to the town.
judyjeancoe@gmail.com Carnegie library and an opera house. Crab Orchard was platted in 1883
In 1958, Tecumseh became the first when the Chicago, Burlington and
Johnson County is comprised of the historic district in Nebraska to be listed Quincy Railroad was extended to that
towns of Cook, Crab Orchard, Sterling, St. on the National Register of Historic point and was named from a grove of
Mary and Tecumseh with Tecumseh being Places. The best known landmark is the wild crabapple trees near the town site.
the county seat. In Nebraska Territory Johnson County Courthouse built in It is said to have had the first school in
Johnson and Nemaha Counties were 1888. Tecumseh was also the site of the Johnson County – a little log schoolhouse
part of Forney County – in 1856 the two first rural free mail delivery in the State of one mile west of town, built in 1867.
counties were divided into Johnson and Nebraska on November 6, 1896. Elk Creek had its start in about 1873 by
Nemaha. The legend about the old stone jail the building of the Atchison and Nebraska
RE-BLAZE THE TRAIL • NEBRASKA BYWAY 136 1-888-404-1315 9
JOHNSON COUNTY
LODGING
TECUMSEH
Super 7 Inn
402 N. 12 St.
402-335-3100
Town & Country Inn
188 Hwy. 136
402-335-3386
RESTAURANTS
COOK
Sidelines Steak & Sports Bar
117 W. Main St.
402-864-2175
STERLING
Scott’s Place The Legacy
175 Broadway St.
Steam Engine - Case HP50 - Deer Creek Sodbusters Photo 402-866-4081
Railroad through the territory. It took its Keim Stone Bridge
name from Elk Creek nearby, which was Jet Stop
3 miles east & 1 mile north
named for the elk once seen there. The Hwy. 41 & Maple Streets
402-335-0745
town was established as a compromise 402-866-2255
between an early settlement called
Civil War Soldier Memorial Statue
“Butler” and a millpond site on the James
Courthouse Square TECUMSEH
Robinson’s farm. Frazier’s Café
402-335-0745
Sterling was named when William 472 N. 12 St.
Mann, John Bentz and William Kneeland
World War I Cannon 402-335-3221
decided to flip a $20 gold piece for the
Courthouse Square
honor of naming their settlement. Mr.
402-335-0745 Harvest Bowl
Mann, being the lucky one, named it
Hwy. 50 & 136
Sterling, after his hometown of Sterling,
Illinois. Sterling was platted in 1870 when Bandshell 402-335-2095
the Atchison and Nebraska Railroad was Courthouse Square
402-335-0745 TNT BBQ
extended to that point. The Deer Creek
366 Broadway St.
Sodbusters Antique Machinery Show is
held 4 ½ miles south of Sterling on the Brandon Parkway Fountain 402-335-7685
second weekend of August each year. 365 Clay St.
St. Mary (formerly Smartville named 402-335-0745 Tecumseh Central Market Deli
381 Clay St.
after Robert Smart) has the very beautiful
St. Mary’s Catholic Church whose Johnson County Museum 402-335-3660
members serve delicious fish dinners 289 Clay St.
during the Lenten season. 402-853-3614 Ramsey’s Family Fountain
155 S. 3rd St.
Oldfield Exhibit 402-335-1235
ATTRACTIONS 175 S. 3rd St.
402-335-0745 Pizza Hut
TECUMSEH 1425 Hwy. 136
Johnson County Courthouse Old Stone Jail 402-335-4144
454 Broadway St. 161 N. 4th St.
402-335-6300 402-335-0745 Subway
440 N. 12 St.
First Rural Free Mail Delivery Montz Motorcycle Museum 402-335-2322
484 Broadway St. 342 Clay Street
402-335-2007 402-335-0328
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6 GAGE COUNTY 9
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Adams • Barneston • Beatrice • Blue Springs • Clatonia • Cortland
Filley • Liberty • Odell • Pickrell • Virginia • Wymore
Grandma’s Fruit and Nut holiday cake and Homestead Act Fast Facts
Clatonia Cortland
other baked desserts. The company has • Signed into law by President Abraham
been located at 201 South 5th St. since Lincoln on May 20, 1862
Adams 1924. • Offered 160 acres of free land to any
Pickrell The surrounding villages and towns qualified individual willing to live on farm
have unique historical attractions. Odell and improve it for five years
has the Old West Trails Center, Wymore is • Single women and widows, most
home to the Great Plains Welsh Heritage immigrants and African-Americans all
Filley qualified to be homesteaders
Centre, Filley has the Filley Stone Barn
• Effective for 123 years (ending in 1986),
and Barneston has the Oto Indian Mission
with over two million claims covering 270
School.
Beatrice million acres of land
Virginia Family fun and historical treasures
• One-room Freeman School, constructed
abound when you take the opportunity to in 1872, remains at its original location
Blue Springs discover Gage County! • Gave men, women, African-Americans
Wymore and immigrants a chance at the American
Liberty
dream
ATTRACTIONS • Helped turn natural environments and
American Indian Homelands into a
BEATRICE
Odell
Barneston developed, productive United States
GAGE COUNTY MUSEUM AND • Gave away 10% of nation’s land to over 2
HISTORICAL SOCIETY million individuals across 30 states
VISITBEATRICE.COM 101 N. 2nd St.
402-205-3292 Gagecountymuseum.info Hours:
facebook.com/GageCountyMuseum Open daily, all year round, except
Gage County is home to 14 towns and 402-228-1679 Thanksgiving Day, December 25 and
villages. Each town or village has their own January 1. The trail system and parking lot
unique history to tell. Beatrice is the largest BEATRICE BAKERY are open from dawn to dusk every day the
city and is the county seat of Gage County. 201 South 5th St. park is open.
Attractions to see within the community BeatriceBakery.com Summer season (Memorial Day to Labor
include the Gage County Historical 402-223-2358 or 800-228-4030 x108 Day) The Heritage Center, Education Center
Museum, Beatrice Public Library and the and other buildings are open daily from
Gage County Courthouse. HOMESTEAD NATIONAL 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Heritage Highway 136, (U.S. Highway MONUMENT OF AMERICA Fall, winter and spring seasons (Labor
136), one of Nebraska’s Scenic Byways, 8523 W. State Highway 4 Day to Memorial Day) The Heritage Center,
passes through Beatrice and Gage County. Nps.gov/home Education Center and other buildings are
Following the Byway westward you will find 402-223-3514 open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
the Gage County Historical Museum. The “FREE LAND!” was the cry! and weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
museum is located at the corner of Second Explore Southeast Nebraska’s only National 402-205-3292
and Court Streets and houses historical Park Service Site
displays of Gage County from the turn of • Interactive exhibits CEDAR CREEK POTTERY
the century to present day. The museum is • 100 acres of restored tall grass prairie with 37639 South 80th Rd.
nestled near the junction of Indian Creek 2.5 miles of walking trails through prairie 402-228-0138
and the Big Blue River. The river runs and woodland
through Beatrice and Gage County and was • Pioneer school COMMUNITY PLAYERS
instrumental to the settlement of the area. • Homesteader cabin 412 Ella St.
Continuing west on the Byway, and north • Special events tell stories of industry, www.beatricecommunityplayers.com
onto State Highway 4, the trail leads to 402-228-1801
agriculture, immigration, migration and
Homestead National Monument of America American Indian cultures
and the Homestead Heritage Center. CARNEGIE BUILDING
• “Land of Dreams: Homesteading
Homestead tells the story of the Homestead 218 N 5th St.
America,” an award-winning film
Act of 1862. www.visitbeatrice.com
• Digitized homestead records 402-223-2338
Near downtown Beatrice is Ratigan- • Farm implements and ever-changing
Schottler, located one block south of special exhibits
Heritage Highway 136 on Second St. It GAGE COUNTY COURTHOUSE
• Bookstore operated by Eastern National 612 Grant St.
is the leading supplier of solid oak pews, • Entrance is FREE to the monument, www.gagecountynebraska.org
chairs and chancel furniture. Also nearby museum, exhibits, programs and all 402-223-1300
is Beatrice Bakery Company, Home of events!
RE-BLAZE THE TRAIL • NEBRASKA BYWAY 136 1-888-404-1315 11GAGE COUNTY
Econolodge
3210 N. 6th St.
choicehotels.com
402-223-3536 or 1-800-4CHOICE
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
4005 N. 6th St.
hiexpress.com/Beatrice
402-228-7000
Travelers Lodge
3500 N. 6th St.
402-223-4074
booking.com/hotel/us/travelers-lodge-
beatrice.en-us.html
Victorian Inn
Homestead National Monument. Photos courtesy Gage County Tourism.
1903 N. 6th St.
TRAUBEL’S POPCORN STAND Rice Lodge & Conference Center victorianhotels.com
5th and Court Streets 302 Main St. 402-228-5955
communitypossibilitiesinc.com/traubel-s- 402-806-2174
popcorn-stand.html ricelodge.odell-nebraska.us WYMORE
Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Wymore Inn
WYMORE 601 S. 14th St.
YESTERDAY’S LADY Great Plains Welsh Heritage Centre 402-645-3801
113 N. 5th St. 307 S. 7th St.
www.yesterdayslady.net welshheritageproject.org BED & BREAKFASTS
402-223-5121 402-645-3186 or 402-645-3231
RATIGAN-SCHOTTLER BEATRICE
MANUFACTURING
POINTS OF INTEREST The Cottage Bed & Breakfast
23400 SW 75th Rd.
201 South 2nd St. Chief Standing Bear Trail
ratiganschottler.com 402-239-9087
www.chiefstandingbeartrail.com
402-223-3200 or Toll Free: 800-383-1000
Krider Hill
ODELL
Rice Lodge & Conference Center
Journey south of Beatrice on Highway
BLUE SPRINGS 77, continue south about nine miles on
302 Main St.
GUY “THE CHAMP” CHAMBERLIN Highway 112 to the highest point in Gage
riceledge.odell-nebraska.us
MONUMENT County. Legend has it that Krider Hill is the
402-806-2174
312 W. 2nd St.
burial site for an Oto Indian chief.
bluespringsne.com/chamberlin.html CAMPING
Oregon Trail Marker
BLUE SPRINGS CEMETERY WYMORE
1 mile north of Blue Springs on North A St. 1 ¾ miles west of Lanham, Neb. at the
intersection of west Stateline and southwest Arbor State Park
142nd Roads wymorebluesprings.com
JOHNSON CABIN MUSEUM
Blue Springs City Park 402-645-3377
Visit bluespringsne.com for opening dates. Oteo-MIssouria Indian Mission School
East of City Park, Barneston, NE 68309 ODELL
FILLEY Big Indian Recreation Area
FILLEY STONE BARN Wymore Train Station Museum 6 miles east of Odell on Hwy. 8
13282 East Scott Rd. Main St.,Wymore 402-228-3402
www.gagecountymuseum.info 402-645-3744 nrdec.org/area.php?image=big_indian
402-228-1679 By appointment only.
Odell Park
ODELL LODGING Main St.
Old West Trails Center 402-766-3720
BEATRICE
301 Main St. visitodell.com
www.visitodell.com
trailscenter@diodecom.net Capri Inn & Suites Riverside Park
For tours call: Judy Baumann 402-766-4237, 3721 N. 6th St. Sumner & Pleasant Sts.
Marilyn Lytle 402-766-4275 or Barbara capricomfort.com 402-228-5248
Zarybnicky 402-766-3780 402-228-8808 Call for current pricing
12 WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COMGAGE COUNTY
BEATRICE Classic’s Bar & Grill Runza
Chautauqua Park 1301 Oak St. 1119 N. 6th St.
9th and Grable Sts. 402-223-1456 402-223-3656
402-228-5248
Call for current pricing Dairy Queen Shanghai Inn
901 E. Court St. 810 E. Court St.
402-228-3810 402-223-2996
Gage Co. Fairgrounds
321 Logan St. Dairy Queen Subway
402-223-3247 120 N. 6th St. 1219 N. 6th St.
402-223-5328 402-223-5909
Oak Aven Acres RV Park
23490 SW 75th Road Carsten’s Café & Snack Shack Subway
402-239-9087 3000 Lincoln Blvd. 3620 N. 6th St.
oakavenacres.com 402-223-6000 402-228-7220
Rockford Lake State Recreation Area Casey’s Pizza Super China Buffet
7 miles east of Beatrice on Hwy. 136, 2 miles 806 West Court St. 2205 N. 6th St.
south 402-228-3209 402-228-3838
outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks/guides/
contact.asp Casey’s Pizza Taco John’s
402-729-5777 1116 N. 6th St. 1215 N. 6th St.
402-223-2522 402-228-1334
GOLF Casey’s Pizza Valentino’s Restaurant
1500 East Court St. 701 Court St.
BEATRICE 402-223-4868 402-223-3573
Beatrice Country Club
1301 Oak St. Country Cookin’ Café Woodee’s Diner
beatricecc.com 512 S 5th St. 2205 N. 6th St. (Indian Creek Mall)
402-223-3639 402-228-9819 402-228-1848
Hidden Acres El Canelo CLATONIA
Highway 136 west of Beatrice to Lilac Road, 590 Sargent St. Legends
turn and go west ½ mile 402-223-0090 210 Washington St.
hiddenacresbeatrice.com 402-989-4109
402-228-2146 4one8
418 Court St. FILLEY
WYMORE 402-230-3400 Filley Tavern
Wymore Country Club 200 Livingston
1700 West D St. Florio’s 402-662-3755
2205 N. 6th St.
402-806-4165 ODELL
RESTAURANTS Kross Eyed Kricket
Godfather’s Pizza
BARNESTON 556 Sargent St.
216 Main St.
krosseyed.kricket.9@facebook.com
Grand Avenue Bar & Grill 402-806-4406
101 W. Grand Ave.
The New Corner Bar
402-674-9902 Kentucky Fried Chicken 123 Main St.
BEATRICE 1316 N. 6th St.
402-223-5974
402-766-3692
Arby’s VIRGINIA
2103 N. 6th St. McDonald’s Terry’s Steak House
402-228-1333 1220 N. 6th St. 200 4th St.
402-228-4106 402-688-4286
Back Alley Barbecue & Grill
124 S. 23rd St. Pizza Hut WYMORE
402-223-5011 2400 N. 6th St. Casey’s Pizza
402-228-3317 119 N. 14th St.
The Black Crow Restaurant, Bar and 402-645-3484
Catering Playa Azul
405 Court St. 2102 N. 6th St. Subway
402-228-7200 402-228-7191 402 S. 14th St.
402-645-3030
Burger King Risky’s Sports Bar
501 N. 6th St. 2317 N. 6th St.
402-223-4500 402-228-9500
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4 JEFFERSON COUNTY 6
2 5
Daykin • Diller • Endicott • Fairbury • Harbine • Jansen • Plymouth • Reynolds • Steele City
McDowell’s Rose Creek Mausoleum
Daykin
Plymouth
ATTRACTIONS South of Rose Creek
402-729-3000
DILLER
Anna C. Diller Opera House Rock Island Depot Railroad Museum
Jansen
C&C Food Mart & Processing 402-729-5131
Harbine 402-793-5820
W. C. Smith House & Lime Kiln
ENDICOTT
Fairbury
Diller North of Fairbury/River Road
Endicott Clay Products-BeehiveBrick 402-729-5131
Endicott
Steele City
Kilns
Reynolds South of Endicott & 2 miles west
402-729-3315 WILDLIFE
STEELE CITY
For more detailed
information contact:
MANAGEMENT AREAS
Steele City Canyons
FAIRBURY
Fairbury Chamber
& Visitor Center Located west of Steele City
518 E St., Fairbury, NE 68352 402-749-7650
402-729-3000 Steele City Historical District
www.VisitOregonTrail.org Downtown Alexandria
www.fairburychamber.org 402-729-5131 Located northwest of Fairbury near
Alexandria State Recreation Area
Located in the “Little Blue Valley,” Tri-County Oregon Trail Monument
friendly Jefferson County is rich in historic 5 miles east & 2 miles south Flathead
lore, the route of the Oregon Trail having Located in Fairbury
passed across the county, and in some FAIRBURY
places the ruts left by the wagons of the Campbell Bros. Circus Mural Rock Glen
“49ers” can still be seen. A cluster of Located in Fairbury Located east of Fairbury near Rock Creek
nine small, rural communities provide 402-729-2620
Station State Historical Site
the nucleus for the best in small-town
living. The communities of Daykin, Diller, District 10 School Museum
½ mile west & 1 mile southwest of Rose Creek
Endicott, Fairbury, Gladstone, Harbine, Located in Fairbury
Jansen, Plymouth, Reynolds and Steele Alexandria State Lakes
City hold many treasures. 402-729-5131
Historic spots along the Oregon Trail LODGING
include the famous Rock Creek Station Fairbury City Museum
where “Wild Bill” Hickok killed David 1128 Elm St.
402-671-6879 or 402-300-1318 FAIRBURY
McCanles; the grave of George Winslow, Capri Motel
the only grave along the entire trail 1100 14th St.
marked with a stone; the burial place of Four-Corner Survey Marker
402-729-3317 or 800-932-0589
many Mormons who died while camped 1 mile west and 1 mile north of Mahaska,
Kan.
along the trail (the Big Sandy crossing on Cobblestone Hotel & Suites
the trail was the scene of many deaths). 1503 K St.
Frontier Fun Park
Jefferson County was the scene of possibly 402-587-5082 or 888-693-8262
Located in Fairbury
the largest battle ever fought between
402-729-2148
Indians. Ten thousand Sioux and Cheyenne Fairbury Executive Suites
battling 10,000 eastern Indians in 1832, 506 E St.
George Winslow’s Grave 402-613-2063
was near where the Big Sandy Creek joins
Northwest of Fairbury www.fairbury.com
the Little Blue River. One of the last large
battles between the Pawnee and Sioux
Jefferson County Courthouse Grayhouse Inn Bed & Breakfast
was fought in this county in 1862. A cluster
Downtown 615 6th St.
of nine small, rural communities provide
402-729-6818 Call for pricing 402-613-2063
the nucleus for the best in small-town
living. The communities of Daykin, Diller,
Little Blue River Trail Sandy Creek Cabin
Endicott, Fairbury, Gladstone, Harbine,
Located in Fairbury 71749 565 Ave.
Jansen, Plymouth, Reynolds and Steele
402-729-2148 402-587-1211
City hold many treasures.
sandycreekcabin@gmail.com
14 WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COMJEFFERSON COUNTY
DAYKIN
Nebraska Prairie Rose Bed &
Breakfast
102 W. Hwy. 4
402-446-7471
neprairierosebb@yahoo.com
www.nebraskaprairierosebb.com
CAMPGROUNDS
Mural. Photo courtesy the Fairbury Journal-News.
DILLER Rowdy’s Steakhouse
Village of Diller Campground Park RESTAURANTS 321 F St.
15 miles southeast of Fairbury-Hwy. 103
402-729-5083
402-793-5956 FAIRBURY
www.diller-ne.com/diller-park 9 and Dine Runza
at Fairbury Country Club 26630 Industrial Dr.
ENDICOTT 56881 709th Rd. 402-729-5248
Endicott RV Park New! 402-729-5314
www.endicotttrvpark.com Subway
402-729-5621 or 402-587-1900 Casey’s General Store 1413 K St.
622 E St. 402-729-3995
FAIRBURY 402-729-6664
Alexandria State Lakes The Fork & Knife
Classic Cones 1011 K Street
Hwy. 136 west 7 miles, north 6 miles, west
611 6th St.
2 miles
402-587-0166 or 210-380-0293 Wal-Mart Deli
402-729-5777
Nebraska Park Permit Required 2831 Hwy. 15
Griffey’s Steakhouse 402-729-3394
400 4th St.
Crystal Springs Park
402-729-9951
1½ miles southwest DILLER
402-729-2148
Harvest Chinese The Field
616 E St. 415 Commercial St.
Cub Creek Recreation Area 402-793-8557
402-729-6233
8 miles east, 3 ½ north
www.lbbnrd.org
402-228-3402
Jalisco Mexican ENDICOTT
417 D St. Criner’s Corner
402-729-2197 402-729-3571
Rock Creek Station Historical Park
6 miles southeast of Fairbury
402-729-5777
Main St. Coffee House HARBINE
510 E St. SideTrek Bar & Grill
ngpc.rock.creek.station@nebraska.gov
402-587-2521 419 Hansen St.
PLYMOUTH McDonalds
402-754-4391
Leisure Lake 1429 K St.
Located southeast of Plymouth 402-729-3123 PLYMOUTH
Plymouth Brew House Grill
REYNOLDS Pizza Hut 303 Main St.
402-656-5475
Buckley Creek Recreational Area 505 14th St.
1 mile east, ½ mile north 402-729-6106
www.littlebluenrd.org STEELE CITY
402-364-2145 Pla Mor Café Salty Dog Saloon
517 D St. 200 W. Main St.
STEELE CITY 402-729-2115 402-442-2233
Historic Steele City Campground
209 S. Iowa St.
Ray’s Apple Market
1415 K St.
402-442-2360
402-729-2355
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1 THAYER COUNTY 4
7 0
Alexandria • Belvidere • Bruning • Byron • Carleton • Chester
Davenport Deshler • Gilead • Hebron • Hubbell
Bruning Treasures Unlimited
Davenport ATTRACTIONS Post Office Box 43, 107 Maple St.
402-366-7040
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria
Carleton
District 10 School House Museum
Belvidere
402-749-3255 DESHLER
One mile west and one mile south Centennial Park Arboretum
Hebron Gilead
of the Alexandria State Lakes. Open East Entrance to Deshler on the
summers on Sunday afternoons or by south side of U.S. Hwy. 136
appointment. 402-365-4260
Deshler
www.deshlerchamber.org
Alexandria State Recreation Area
Byron
Chester Hubbell
7176 River Road (4 miles east and 1 The Friendship Garden
south of Alexandria) 912 Fourth St.
402- 749-7650 402-365-4260
For more information call
ngpc.Rock.Creek.Station@nebraska.gov www.deshlerchamber.org
402-768-7156
Fishing, picnic shelters and campsites
Oregon Trail with hookups and dump station. Reinke Manufacturing
Company, Inc.
BELVIDERE
Capital of Nebraska!
The beginnings of the Oregon Trail 1040 Road 5300 (Reinke Rd.)
in Nebraska were made in 1813 by the Belvidere Train Watching Station 402-365-7251
little band of traders from Astoria in the Corner of C St. and 6th St. www.reinke.com
Oregon Territory. The party, headed by 402- 768-6909 Call ahead for tours.
Robert Stuart, was returning to St. Louis. www.thayercounty.ne.gov
They made their way down the Platte Sky Hawk Field
Valley. They left no tracks deep enough Thayer County Museum West of Deshler ¼ mile on U. S.
to be followed, but they did make known 110 9th St. Hwy. 136
the way. 402-768-2147 402-365-4260
In 1830, Milton Sublette with 10 thayercountymuseum.com www.deshlerchamber.org
wagons left St. Louis and arrived at the A field where remote control
Wind River Mountains. His wagon wheels BRUNING airplanes can fly.
were the first to cross Nebraska on a Bruning Opera House
branch of the Oregon Trail. Travelers 1st St. & Main St. GILEAD
from the southern regions of the country 402-353-2555 District 17 Rock School
entered Nebraska near present-day www.bruningbank.com Rural Gilead. From U.S. Highway
Alexandria and followed the Big Sandy 136 go north on Nebraska
Valley where water, wood and grass were CHESTER Highway 53 two miles, then take
available. After crossing the Big Sandy Barn Quilt Village of Thayer County county road N ½ mile west.
near Belvidere, the trail proceeded in a Around the village of Chester 402- 68-2468
southwesterly direction to the banks of the 402- 324- 5755
Little Blue River. After the establishment of
Thompson’s Station, a few miles south of
www.chesterne.com HEBRON
Don Wassom of Chester had created Arrowhead Gardens
Belvidere, the trail followed the Eighteen- over 60 barn quilts located throughout
Mile Ridge across Thayer County. Arboretum
the village of Chester.
The pioneers traveled in groups called Jefferson Ave. between 7th and
8th Streets.
trains, but often individual families would Christmas in Chester Light & Sound 402-768-6322, for tours 402-
go out on their own. They could average Show 768-7156
about 16 miles per day. It took nearly one 210 Hebron St.
month for a wagon train to cross Nebraska www.hebron.nebraska.us
christmas.chesterne.com
and four months to make the 2,000 mile
Fort Butler Marker
trip to either California or Oregon. Nearly Little Boy Blue Monument
400,000 people traveled this network of The northeast corner of First St.
Junction of old U.S. Hwy. 81 (Meridian
rutted trails from the Missouri River to the and Willard Ave.
Road) and Nebraska Hwy. 8
Willamette River. The Oregon Trail was 402- 768-632
402-324-5755 or 402-324-5674
never a clearly defined trail. www.hebronnebraska.us
chesterne.com
16 WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COMTHAYER COUNTY
Hebron Post Office Mural Blue Valley Bowl
145 North 5th St. 518 Lincoln Ave.
402- 768-6127 402-768-6689
bluevalleybowl@windstream.net
Little Blue River in Thayer County
Southern boundary of Hebron Brand X Sports Bar and Restaurant
402-768-6322 5th St. and Lincoln Ave.
www.hebronnebraska.us 402-768- 6432 One of the World’s Largest
Fishing, canoeing, hiking and hunting. brandxsaloon@gmail.com Covered Porch Swings
The Little Blue Wildlife Management Area --
two miles east of Hebron on River Road. Casey’s Carry Out Pizza & Food BYRON
Rock Island Walking and Biking Trail also 105 South 13th St. Tillie’s Bar & Grill
follows the river in the south part of Hebron. 402-768-7378 111 Kansas Ave.
Casey’s.com 402- 236- 8716
Thayer County Courthouse
225 North 4th St.
D’s Daylight Donuts
402-768-6126
224 Lincoln Ave.
CARLETON
www.thayercounty.ne.gov Shananigan’s Bar and Grill
402-768-2255
365 D St.
One of the World’s Largest Covered dengle1992@gmail.com
402-356-2022
Porch Swings melerickson1971@gmail.com
5th St. and Jefferson Ave. at Roosevelt Park Good 2 Go Hebron Valentino’s Pizza
402-768-6322 or 402-768-7156 243 South 13th St.
www.hebronnebraska.us 402-768-6140 CHESTER
Special Freal Blending Bar Milk Shake Foote’s Cafe
HUBBELL Machine. Also ice and frozen foods plus 524 Meridian Rd.
Sixth Principal Meridian Marker other snacks. 402-324-5674
Nine miles east of Hubbell on Highway
8 and three miles south on Road 7300. Hannah B’s Luncheonette DAVENPORT
402-768-7407 411 Lincoln Ave. R W’s Dining and Drink
www.thayercounty.org 402-768-8743 102 Maple Ave.
or www.visitthayercounty.com 402-364-2319
This location marks the point where all Subway Sandwiches, Pizza, Ice rwsdavenport@gmail.com
land in Nebraska, Kansas, and most land Cream R W’s dining and drink on Facebook
in Colorado and Wyoming, and parts 1325 Dove Rd.
of South Dakota were surveyed and 402-768-2303
subdivided. Subway.com DESHLER
C and M Supply (C-Stop)
ALEXANDRIA
101 First St.
LODGING 402-365-7200
Alexandria Lakes Snack Shack
HEBRON 56022-56032 718th Rd.
Budget Host Inn – Rosewood Villa Motel Fourth St. Tavern
402-749-3111
140 South 13th St. 507 4th. St.
402-768-6524 402-365-7227, 402-613-7281
BELVIDERE landocommando1313@yahoo.com
Riverside Motel Toad’s LLC
301 South 13th St. 305 C St. The Wheelhouse Restaurant
402-768-7366 402- 768- 9987 5411 U.S. Hwy. 136
402-365-7245
Wayfarer Motel BRUNING
104 North 13th St.
402-768-7226
Betty’s Place GILEAD
109 Main St. Pioneers Inn
402-353-2725 305 Main St.
RESTAURANTS BettyBrock253@hotmail.com P. O. Box 45
402-768-7409
HEBRON Good To Go Bruning⁄
81 Express Coffee Shop Valentino’s Pizza Express
1375 Dove Rd. 6208 Spur 85 C HUBBELL
402-768-2223 402-353-2040 The Acreage Steakhouse
taylor@candm.supply www.valsbruning.com 710 Johnson Ave.
Ice Cream- Grill- Champs Chicken 402- 324-5088
RE-BLAZE THE TRAIL • NEBRASKA BYWAY 136 1-888-404-1315 170 1
1
8
9 NUCKOLLS COUNTY 6
Angus • Hardy • Lawrence • Nelson • Nora • Oak • Ruskin • Superior
plentiful and the county is located in the
central flyway, which offers an abundance
of birds during their annual migration. For
those who want to cool off in the water,
the area offers lots of opportunity. Canoe
the Little Blue and Republican Rivers.
The Russ Synder Museum in Oak
celebrates professional baseball,
particularly the professional career of Russ
Synder who played for five teams from
1959 to 1970.
ATTRACTIONS
HARDY
City Park
LAWRENCE
Lawrence Country Club
2233 Hwy. 4
Explore nature at a leisurely pace while canoeing down the Republican
River. Photo courtesy Nuckolls County Visitors Committee. 402-756-7591
Over the years our citizens have shown Liberty Cove
resiliency not with “knuckles” but with 2 miles west & 2 miles south
Lawrence
“Nuckolls” as the county was named in 402-364-2145
Angus
1859. Though we have royalty under our
soil, agriculture reigns above ground with City Park
Oak a near equal mix of corn, grain sorghum, Downtown
Nelson
soybeans and a good measure of cattle, 402-756-7472
Nora
hogs, sheep and horses.
While visiting Nuckolls County, you Veterans Park
Ruskin may get dust on your hiking boots while Hwy. 4
walking the Oregon Trail. From the late 402-756-7472
1840s until about 1879 the trail was the
Hardy
NELSON
equivalent of today’s interstate highway.
Superior The Pony Express route followed the trail
across northeastern Nuckolls County. To Nuckolls County Courthouse
learn more about the trail, visit the town 150 Main St.
Superior Chamber of Oak where the trail passed down Main 402-225-2371
of Commerce
Street. Local tradition holds that Parson
336 N. Central Ave.
Bob raised Calamity Jane in a log cabin Cemetery Walkway
402-879-3419
along the Little Blue River just northwest 1,200 ft. walk between the town of Nelson
superiorcc@windstream.net and the cemetery
of Oak. There, she met Wild Bill Hickok
after his shootout with the McCanles 402-225-4401
Other helpful links:
Gang at Rock Creek Station only a few
Historic Carved Sandstone Faces on
cityofnelson.com
402-225-4401 miles to the east in Jefferson County.
From Nuckolls County the two Old West Stansbury Building
cityofsuperior.org characters fled to the Black Hills and into West side of 4th St.
superiorne.com the pages of history. 402-225-4401
If you want mud on your boots,
lawrence-ne.com explore one of our minimum maintenance Elk Creek Country Club
nuckollscounty.ne.gov roads and keep an eye out for the many 877 S. Main St., City Park
nuckollscountyonline.com kinds of wild animals and fowl that inhabit Corner of west 3rd & Wheeler St.
jewellcountyonline.com the area. Deer and wild turkeys are 402-225-4401
18 WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COMNUCKOLLS COUNTY
Harbine Park
900 S. Wheeler St.
402-225-4401
OAK
Russ Snyder Baseball Museum
402-225-9904 or 402-225-3237
City Park
Maple & Clay Streets
SUPERIOR
Nuckolls County Museum
612 6th St.
402-879-4144
Simic Skating Rink
518 E. 4th St.
402-879-4844
Superior Bowl
126 E. 2nd St.
402-879-9982
Enjoying a rickshaw ride at the Vesty Festival in Superior. Photo courtesy
Nuckolls County Visitors Committee.
Crest Theater
106 E. 5th St.
402-879-3819
D&D’s Lyon’s Den SUPERIOR
472 S. Main St. The Velvet Rose
402-225-3581 1800 Idaho St.
LODGING 402-879-3305
C-Store
NELSON 575 S. Main St. Subway
OxBow Motel 402-225-2188 510 N. Bloom St.
422 N. Main St. 402-879-4010
402-225-2651 American Legion
390 S. Main St. Dairy Queen
SUPERIOR 402-225-7541 410 N. Bloom St.
Victorian Inn 402-879-4321
1540 Idaho St. LAWRENCE
402-879-3245 Dick’s Place Dave’s Place
161 N. Calvert St. 243 Central St.
Crazy Woman Lodge, LLC 402-756-7412 402-879-9905
339 Rd. 3550
Las Canteras Mexican Grill
402-879-3340 or 402-879-5757
RUSKIN 156 E. 4th St.
Broken Spoke 402-879-3044
RESTAURANTS 951 Main St.
402-226-3081
HARDY
Do Drop In Betty’s Bed & Breakfast
301 Main St. 650 Main St.
402-279-3855 402-871-5057
NELSON
CAPS Café & Grocery
440 S. Main St.
402-225-2158
RE-BLAZE THE TRAIL • NEBRASKA BYWAY 136 1-888-404-1315 19Trail of Treasures route includes Heritage Highway
In addition to Highways 8, 14, 34 and 6
Holbrook
Bartley
Indianola 34 Arapahoe Edison Oxford 183 NUCK
Cambridge
HARLAN 281
136 Nelson
McCook FURNAS Republican FRANKLIN WEBSTER
Orleans City
RED WILLOW 283 Franklin Red Cloud
Alma
Bloomington Riverton Inavale Guide S
Rock
20 WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COMNebraska
Heritage Highway 136
Syracuse
Nebraska City
OTOE
SALINE
Wilber Brock Peru
15 Johnson Brownville
GAGE JOHNSON Auburn
Tecumseh NEMAHA
KOLLS 81 Filley Crab
Beatrice
Alexandria JEFFERSON Orchard 75
Oak Belvidere
Lewiston
136 Holmesville RICHARDSON
Nora Hebron Gladstone Jansen Ellis 50
Harbine Blue Springs PAWNEE
Ruskin Deshler Gilead Fairbury Wymore Falls City
Pawnee City
Superior THAYER 15 77
Chester Diller
Reynolds Odell
RE-BLAZE THE TRAIL • NEBRASKA BYWAY 136 1-888-404-1315 210 0
6 WEBSTER COUNTY 8
5 8
Bladen • Blue Hill • Cowles • Guide Rock • Red Cloud • Rosemont • Inavale
Cather Second Home
Blue Hill National Willa Cather Center
Bladen and a second group arrived from Beatrice 413 N. Webster St.
Rosemont
later that same year. The organization of www.willacather.org
the county was approved by the voters 866-731-7304
and the county seat was located at Red
Cloud. This community, the first in the Webster County Hist. Museum
Cowles county, was settled by Silas Garber and 721 W. 4th Ave.
was conveniently located in relation to the 402-746-2444
more densely populated portion of the
Inavale
Red Cloud county. Webster County was named in Farmers & Merchants Bank
honor of Daniel Webster (1782-1852), the 338 N. Webster St.
American Statesman. Author Willa Cather 402-746-2653
Guide Rock spent her formative years in Red Cloud
and rural Webster County. Today, over 40 Grace Episcopal Church
For more information call sites associated with her are available to 546 N. Cedar St.
402-746-2653 visit, including several via guided tours 402-746-2653
from the Willa Cather Foundation.
Webster County History Pavelka Farmstead
Webster County, located in the ATTRACTIONS Road 1100
southern tier of counties approximately 402-746-2653
150 miles west of the Missouri River, RED CLOUD
was first settled by whites in the spring Red Cloud Opera House Willa Cather Memorial Prairie
of 1870. The first group consisted of 19 411 N. Webster St. 5 miles southwest side of Hwy. 281
members of the Rankin Colony of Omaha 402-746-2653 402-746-2653
22 WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COMWEBSTER COUNTY
Thramer's Food Center
554 W. Gage St.
402-756-2221
GUIDE ROCK
The Rock Bar & Grill
145 S. Nebraska St.
402-257-3686
RED CLOUD
Casey’s General Store & Pizza
612 N. Webster St.
402-746-2633
Fat Fox’s
326 N. Webster St.
402-746-2249
Knock’em Over Alley
Red Cloud Opera House.
129 E. 4th Ave.
Burlington Depot RED CLOUD 402-460-9160
437 W. Welsh St. The Red Cloud B&B at the Kaley
402-746-2653 House On the Brix
909 N. Seward St. 437 N. Webster St.
Willa Cather Childhood Home 402-746-3989 402-746-3120
241 N. Cedar St.
402-746-2653 The Cather Second Home Guest Red Brick Café
House 129 E. 4th Ave.
Harling House 541 N. Seward St. 308-455-7313
241 N. Seward St. 402-746-2653
402-746-2653 Subway
A.G. House 407 N. Webster St.
St. Juliana Falconieri Catholic Church 605 N. Locust St. 402-746-3873
425 W. 3rd St. 402-746-2856
402-746-2653 The Palace Lounge
Bell’s Sleepy Valley RV Park 124 W. 4th Ave.
Yost Farm School 779 Hwy. 281 402-746-9951
1144 Rd. GH 402-746-2919
866-731-7304 The South 40 Bar and Grill
Yost Farm Cottage 330 N. Webster St.
Starke Round Barn 1144 Rd. GH 402-746-2462
1639 U.S. Hwy. 136 402-746-2856
402-746-4165
www.starkeroundbarn.com
Green Acres Motel and RV Park
SHOPPING
Auld Public Library
791 N. Hwy. 281 BLUE HILL
402-746-2201 Corner Nook
537 N. Webster St.
702-746-3352 560 W. Gage St.
RESTAURANTS 402-224-0437
BLADEN
Call 402-746-2653 for
more information on the RED CLOUD
Wildlife Management Areas. K.O. Bar Lizzy's
219 N. Main St. 326 N. Webster St.
402-756-1130 (402) 746-2333
LODGING
BLUE HILL BLUE HILL Shades West
Blue Hill Motel Blue Hill Tavern 333 N. Webster St.
515 N. Wilson St. 521 W. Gage St. 402-746-2400
402-756-3901 402-756-2600
RE-BLAZE THE TRAIL • NEBRASKA BYWAY 136 1-888-404-1315 230 0
4
1
FRANKLIN COUNTY 6
4
Bloomington • Campbell • Franklin • Hildreth • Macon • Naponee • Riverton • Upland
Hildreth
Upland
Campbell
Macon
Franklin Riverton
Rose Bowl Theatre. Photo courtesy Franklin Chamber of Commerce.
Bloomington
NAPONEE
Naponee HISTORIC MARKERS No Where Bar
BLOOMINGTON 602 Fennimore St.
308-269-2060
HISTORY German WW II Cannon
Bloomington City Park
Archeological evidence indicates that RIVERTON
the area around and including Franklin Old Rock Jail Pete's Place
County and the Republican River was Erected in 1899 Hwy. 136
frequented by a nomadic people that
were probably the forefathers of the indig-
enous Pawnee Indians. The Pawnee were MACON LODGING
Old Store Front
a dominant power on the Central Plains
until the 1870s and the Republican River Macon, NE FRANKLIN
Franklin South RV Camp Grounds
was actually named after one of the four
FRANKLIN
SW corner of state highway 10 and J
bands of the Pawnee tribe. The Pawnee
Street
culture revolved around regular buffalo Franklin Academy 308-425-6295 - City Hall
hunts in the tallgrass prairie, and frequent 10th and P Streets
raids and skirmishes with neighboring
Indian tribes and pioneers. Known for Drop Tyne Lodge
their exceptional cunning and courage, RESTAURANTS 104 16th Ave
308-425-6269
the Pawnee’s favorite pastime was stealing
horses. In 1806, American explorer Zebu-
FRANKLIN
lon Pike met with the Pawnee and in his Black Powder Bar and Grill
1007 W. U.S. Hwy. 136 TOURISM
reports described the land as a “hunter’s
308-425-9919
paradise,” thick with game. Indeed, herds FRANKLIN
of buffalo frequented the area numbering Franklin Co. Museum
in the hundreds of thousands. Because of Franklin Locker
1106 16th Ave. 1309 H Rd.
the plentiful game, fertile soil and abun-
dant water resources, settlement started 308-425-9974 (serve lunch)
Franklin Veterans Memorial
in the Franklin County area starting in the City Park
mid-1860s. As more westward migration Frosty Mug
607 16th Ave. Hwy. 10 and P St.
began to take place, stores were opened,
mail and delivery routes were established 308-425-3613
Franklin Golf Course
and pioneers began to settle land along
Spur 31D & P Streets
the trails and creeks spurred on by gener- HILDRETH
ous homesteading incentives offered Clint's Tavern Rose Bowl Theatre
by the federal government. By the early 141 Commercial Ave. 611 15th Ave.
1870s, the population of Franklin County 308-938-5155
had blossomed from a mere handful to
over 2,000 souls with the cities of River- Koopers Korner
ton, Franklin and Bloomington bustling 505 Hubbard St.
with commerce and activity. 308-938-2058
24 WWW.HERITAGEHIGHWAY136.COM0 0
1
1
HARLAN COUNTY 4
0
Alma • Huntley • Orleans • Oxford • Ragan • Republican City • Stamford
Ragan
Oxford
Huntley
Orleans
Republican
City
Stamford
Alma
For up-to-date information,
call, email or visit our
website:
Harlan County Tourism
800-762-5498
harlancountytourism@yahoo.com
harlantourism.org.
Located in the Republican River Valley Harlan County Dam
on the border of Kansas, Harlan County,
downriver. The Harlan County Dam was Guided tours of the dam
Nebraska, is many things to many people:
then built to control flooding and manage The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers
a peaceful refuge away from the hectic
irrigation, but as Nebraska’s second free tours of the Harlan County Dam.
pace of city life, a prime hunting and
largest body of water, the Harlan County More information is available from the
fishing region, a wide-open location in
Reservoir has since become one of the Corps at 308-799-2105.
which to view and interact with nature, a
best-loved recreation destinations and
family vacation destination with a diversity
wildlife havens in south-central Nebraska,
of both water-based and land-based RECREATION
with two popular marinas, Patterson
activities to suit a variety of interests, and
Harbor and North Shore Marina; multiple
a cluster of small towns with an interesting Hunting, fishing
well-maintained campgrounds; seven boat
variety of locally-owned businesses and water sports
ramps; and two free fish-cleaning stations Over 17,000 acres of public hunting
including restaurants and antique shops.
at Hunter Cove Park and Methodist Cove ground is available on U.S. Corps of
Rich in both Native American and pioneer
Park. As a federally-owned property, no Engineers property around Harlan County
history, Harlan County and the Republican
state park permits are required, and at Lake. The area is rich with white-tail deer,
River Valley were once home to the
the time of this writing, alcohol is allowed waterfowl, turkey, pheasant and quail.
largest concentration of buffalo on the
to be consumed responsibly at the lake. Other hunted species include rabbit,
Great Plains and were a favored hunting
A detailed downloadable lake map is squirrel, bobcat and coyote. Many local
ground for the Pawnee, Sioux, Cheyenne
available on the Harlan County Tourism lodging facilities have kennels available.
and Arapaho Tribes.
website, harlantourism.org. The lake is known to fishing enthusiasts
Harlan County Reservoir lies in the far and wide for its walleye, wipers,
Harlan County Reservoir
center of the North American Central northern pike, largemouth bass, white
Warned by the native populations
Flyway and is a primary stopover for bass, crappie and catfish.
about the common occurrence of major
millions of migrating birds, including
flooding along the Republican River, Boating, water-skiing, tubing and jet-
bald and golden eagles, American skiing are some of the most popular water
early Europeans nonetheless settled in
white pelicans, osprey, ducks and sports at the lake. Check with the marinas
the area, and in 1935 over 100 people
geese including Ross’ and snow geese, regarding the availability of rentals.
drowned and most bridges and farm
seven species of gulls, and many more,
buildings were destroyed by an eight
including an occasional sighting of a great
foot high wall of flood water moving
whooping crane.
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