Wauneta in Chase County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
George Rowley
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2021
1. George Rowley Marker
Near this spot stood the Rowley sod house. Built in 1875 it was the first habitation in Chase County.
On October 3, 1878, while on his way home to protect his family, Rowley was killed by Cheyenne Indians during the epic trek of Dull Knifes Band attempting to reach their old home.
Erected 1956.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is October 3, 1878.
Location. 40° 24.731′ N, 101° 22.123′ W. Marker is in Wauneta, Nebraska, in Chase County. It is on Bodeman Park Drive just north of U.S. 6, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located near the south side of the Bodeman Park parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 328 Bodeman Park Drive, Wauneta NE 69045, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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,
this page online
Regarding George Rowley. (from Rangelands, 1990 archives, "Pioneering in Southwest Nebraska" by Gary W. Frasler and E. Belie Sims Frasier) George Rowley was not at home, having gone on a business trip to Greeley, Colorado. There he learned that the Indians were coming up the cattle trail from the south of his ranch. Being concerned for his family, he rode the 120 miles to Ogallala, Nebraska, and discovered that his family had reached safety and that the Indians had passed through the area. He never dreamed that some of the Indians had stopped off, built some "sweat" houses, and were resting. He came upon this trailing group, was killed, and his body dumped into a gully. No one realized he was missing until others from his group returned several weeks later.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Escape of the Northern Cheyenne
Also see . . .
1. Wauneta Nebraska. Chase County Tourism website entry (Submitted on February 23, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2021
2. George Rowley Marker
2. A Cheyenne trail of tears. In September 1878, Dull Knife and Little Wolf led a party of more than 300 individuals 89 warriors, and 246 women and children on a 1,500-mile journey from their imprisonment with the Southern Cheyenne in Oklahoma, north to their homeland. With the army in pursuit, the desperate refugees traveled hundreds of miles while fighting off or eluding cavalry troops that caught up with them. After crossing the South Platte River of Nebraska, Dull Knife and his people headed for the Red Cloud Agency. (Submitted on July 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 533 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
