Ogallala in Keith County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Sand Hill Station

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 11, 2017

1. Sand Hill Station Marker

Inscription. A relay station on the Pony Express Route, 1860-61, often referred to as Gill’s Station located near here at the crossing of the Oregon and Texas Trails. Pony Express stations in Keith County were Alkali, Sand Hill and Diamond Springs.

Erected by Keith County Historical Society
National Pony Express Centennial Association
Dwight D. Eisenhower – Chairman
Waddell F. Smith – President
Marvin F. Kivett – Director, Nebraska

Erected 1967 by National Pony Express Centennial Association & Keith County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the Pony Express National Historic Trail series lists.

Location. 41° 6.314′ N, 101° 43.203′ W. Marker is in Ogallala, Nebraska, in Keith County. It is at the intersection of Lawrence Road and West Road 80, on the left when traveling north on Lawrence Road. Marker is located in Ogallala's Tri-Trails

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Park, 1 mile south of Ogallala and 1 block west of Nebraska Highway 61. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ogallala NE 69153, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Oregon Trail (a few steps from this marker); The Lincoln Highway (approx. 1.3 miles away); Interstate 80 (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Union Pacific (approx. 1.4 miles away); California Hill (approx. 1.4 miles away); Highways 26 and 92 (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Mormon Trail (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Great Platte River Road (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ogallala.

More about this marker. Tri-Trails Park celebrates the geographic crossing

Sand Hill Station Marker (<i>wide view; showing boulder upon which the marker is mounted</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 11, 2017

2. Sand Hill Station Marker (wide view; showing boulder upon which the marker is mounted)

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 (a.k.a. the Texas Trail). The triangle-shaped stone displays two Pony Express Markers. This huge stone was hauled in to Tri-Trails Park by the Grapes family and Art Anderson. This monument was dedicated on June 6, 1965, at the annual spring meeting of the Nebraska State Historical Society, which was held in Ogallala that year. Mr. Anderson mounted the round (1960) Pony Express Centennial marker, which featured the three faces of the founders of “The Pony”. The rectangular Sand Hills Station marker was added to the rock and dedicated on August 22, 1967, in conjunction with the special Nebraska Centennial Pony Express Re-Ride. Both of the Pony Express Markers were made possible by the National Pony Express Centennial Association, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Chairman.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Ogallala Tri-Trails Park

Also see . . . The Pony Express Trail. The Pony Express Trail followed the Oregon

Round Pony Express Centennial Plaque (<i>mounted just above Sand Hill Station marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 11, 2017

3. Round Pony Express Centennial Plaque (mounted just above Sand Hill Station marker)

Trail through Keith County. A recent National Trails System mapping marks the Pony Express Trail running along the south side of the river, just north of Tri-Trails Park, between Shopko and Dairy Queen. There were three Pony Express stations in Keith County. The Sand Hills Station, also known as Gill’s Station, was believed to be located a short distance northeast of Tri-Trails Park. The other two, Alkali Lake Station and Diamond Springs Station, were 12 miles east and 12 miles west, respectively, of Sand Hills. The Pony Express was a key factor in keeping California (and its gold) in the Union, entering the Civil War. The fastest run was made in March of 1861, carrying President Lincoln’s inauguration speech to California in 7 days, 17 hours. The Pony Express was short-lived, but it continues to be a fascinating chapter in the history of the American West. (Submitted on September 4, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Tri-Trails Park (<i>wide view with all 4 trail markers located in park; this marker far right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 11, 2017

4. Tri-Trails Park (wide view with all 4 trail markers located in park; this marker far right)

Pony Express Rider Silhouette (<i>located near marker; facing Road 80 West</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 11, 2017

5. Pony Express Rider Silhouette (located near marker; facing Road 80 West)

(from https://ilovelakemac.com/attractions/tri-trails-park/):
The Pony Express Rider silhouette was dedicated on June 2, 2011. The “Pony Man”, as he is affectionately called, symbolizes the spirit of the Pony Express and captures the sense of urgency that each rider and horse displayed in getting the mail through, come what may. The Pony Man was sponsored jointly by the Nebraska Division of the National Pony Express Association, Reinke Manufacturing, and the Keith County Visitors Committee. It serves as a sentinel to greet present-day Pony Express Riders as they pass by this spot each year in June, during the almost 2000-mile Pony Express Re-Ride. This is done in 10 days, riding 24/7, just as in 1860. During the Re-Ride, Tri-Trails Park serves as a location for one of the hundreds of mochila (mailbag) exchanges from horse to horse that take place along the XP Trail between St. Joseph and Sacramento.

Tri-Trails Park Sign (<i>wide view along Road 80 West from Lawrence Road</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 11, 2017

6. Tri-Trails Park Sign (wide view along Road 80 West from Lawrence Road)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 819 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 3, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 4, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.