Ashland in Saunders County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Ox-Bow Trail

Photographed By Joan Shurtliff, January 15, 2015

1. The Ox-Bow Trail Marker

Inscription. This marker sits astride the Ox-Bow Trail, also known as the Old Fort Kearny or Nebraska City Road. Beginning in the 1840's, this route carried thousands of emigrants and millions of pounds of freight destined for the settlements, mining camps, or military posts of the West. Many travelers were Mormons bound for the Great Salt Lake Valley. The trail, looping north to the Platte from such Missouri River towns as Plattsmouth and Nebraska City, resembled an Ox-Bow, after which it was named. Just west of here was an important ford across Salt Creek, where limestone ledges form a natural low-water bridge. Travel over the trail declined in the mid-1860's with the development of more direct routes from the Missouri to the Central Platte Valley.

The water supply for the City of Lincoln comes from wells in the Platte Valley near here. In 1932 this pumping station was built, and a 36-inch water main laid to Lincoln. A treatment plant and an additional 48-inch main were added in the 1950's.

Saunders County Historical Society
Ashland Chamber of Commerce
Nebraska State Historical Society
Ashland City Water Treatment Plant
Saunders County
Marker 219

Erected by Saunders County Historical Society; Ashland Chamber of Commerce; Nebraska State Historical Society;

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Ashland City Water Treatment Plant. (Marker Number 219.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.

Location. 41° 2.314′ N, 96° 21.43′ W. Marker is in Ashland, Nebraska, in Saunders County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 6 and Silver Street, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 6. The marker is located on the south side of U.S. 6 just west of the Lincoln Water Works in Ashland. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashland NE 68003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. In Honor Of John McBride Belnap (approx. 0.3 miles away); Platte River (approx. 3.3 miles away); Native Americans in the Lower Platte Valley (approx. 5.3 miles away); Melia (approx. 5.3 miles away); The Armour and Company Icehouse (approx. 5.8 miles away); Bess Streeter Aldrich, 1881-1954 (approx. 13.9 miles away).

The Lincoln, NE, Water Works. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joan Shurtliff, January 19, 2015

2. The Lincoln, NE, Water Works.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2015, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. This page has been viewed 731 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2015, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.