Chadron in Dawes County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Chadron-Chicago Cowboy Race

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2009

1. The Chadron-Chicago Cowboy Race Marker

Inscription. America’s longest horse race began here June 13, 1893. The 1,000 mile race ended June 27 in Chicago at Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. The race apparently was the idea of Chadron jokester John G. Maher. Seven of nine riders finished, some traveling up to ninety miles a day. Nebraska badman “Doc” Middleton was an entrant. John Berry won, riding Sandy and Poison, but was disqualified for having prior knowledge of the route. Chadron officials declared Joe Gillespie the winner. Nebraska State Historical Society

Erected by Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 331.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1936.

Location. 42° 49.862′ N, 102° 59.964′ W. Marker is in Chadron, Nebraska, in Dawes County. Marker is at the intersection of Bordeaux Street and West 2nd Street on Bordeaux Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 195 Bordeaux Street, Chadron NE 69337, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The First Church in Chadron (approx. ¼ mile away); Chadron State College

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(approx. 0.7 miles away); Fort Robinson - Camp Sheridan - Pine Ridge Indian Agency Road (approx. 1½ miles away); Historic Northwestern Nebraska (approx. 1½ miles away); Bordeaux Trading Post (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Fort Pierre-Fort Laramie Trail (approx. 3.4 miles away); Chadron Creek Trading Post (approx. 5.7 miles away).

Plaque on the Blaine Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2009

2. Plaque on the Blaine Hotel

Nebraska Historic Site The Blaine Hotel Est. 1888 The Starting Point of the 1893 Chadron - Chicago Cowboy Race This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Chadron Commercial Historic District

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2009

3. The Chadron-Chicago Cowboy Race Marker

The Blaine Hotel is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 913 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.