Denton in Lancaster County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Nebraska City-Fort Kearny Cutoff
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 27, 2022
1. Nebraska City-Fort Kearny Cutoff Marker
Thousands of oxen-drawn wagons passed here from 1860 to 1867, before completion of the Union Pacific Railroad across Nebraska. Carrying military and mining supplies, and emigrants moving west, they cut deep ruts across the tallgrass prairie and at Spring Creek fording sites. The cutoff was the shortest route from the Missouri River to Fort Kearny, where several overland trails merged, and one of Nebraska’s most important historic roads. The still-visible ruts are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected 2007 by Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 143.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 40° 41.658′ N, 96° 51.416′ W. Marker is in Denton, Nebraska, in Lancaster County. Marker is on 100 Street, 0.3 miles south of West Saltillo Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is at the entrance to the access road for the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11700 SW 100th Street, Denton NE 68339, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Navy Department - United States of America
this page online
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . . Nebraska City/Ft. Kearney Cut-Off. Excerpt:
The Nebraska City-Ft. Kearney Cut-off reached its peak of traffic in 1865 with a reported volume of 44,000,000 pounds of freight, 3,000 mules, and 4,000 men. The discovery of gold increased steamboat traffic, and the overland freight business attracted many to the new, more direct trail.(Submitted on September 14, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 27, 2022
2. Nebraska City-Fort Kearny Cutoff Marker
This photo was taken from the access road to the Audubon Center.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on May 14, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 14, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
