Near Brady in Lincoln County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Road Ranches Along the Platte

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, June 7, 2021

1. Road Ranches Along the Platte Marker

Inscription. With the discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountains in the late 1850's , overland freighting and travel intensified. Every few miles westward along the trails, enterprising individuals established road ranches which offered lodgings and provision to travelers. A variety of goods was available: the Cheese Creek Ranche in eastern Nebraska was named for its main product: the Freeman Ranche at Plum Creek was noted for fresh bread and milk. Some ranches like McDonald's at Cottonwood Springs presented such delicacies as fresh pineapple and imported French wines. Many ranches however, were scorned because of their poor service and unsanitary conditions. Even when located within walking distance of neighbors ranche personnel felt isolated and endangered. Many ranches were burned during the Indian trouble of the mid-1860's and some ranchers and their families were killed or taken prisoner. Ranchers who were not discouraged by the hazardous trail later often became prominent in Nebraska's history. James Boyd once a road rancher became governor of the state. When the Union Pacific Railroad built through the area in 1866 and 1867, overland

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

freighting and stage travel ended, hastening the disappearance of the colorful road ranches.

Erected by Department of Roads and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 194.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list.

Location. 41° 1.779′ N, 100° 27.436′ W. Marker is near Brady, Nebraska, in Lincoln County. It can be reached from Interstate 80 at milepost 194, 13.7 miles east of State Highway 56A, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the Brady I80 Eastbound Rest Area Mile Marker 194. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brady NE 69123, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Nebraska and in the Platte River Valley.

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

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, June 7, 2021

2. Road Ranches Along the Platte Marker

World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort McPherson and North Platte (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fort McPherson National Cemetery (approx. 3.6 miles away); Fort McPherson (approx. 5.6 miles away).

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, June 7, 2021

3. Road Ranches Along the Platte Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2021, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 9, 2021, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.