Chappell in Deuel County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Moments in History
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2024
1. Moments in History Marker
1. Cabela's Fishing Lure
Richard Dick Cabela started selling fishing flies, became Cabela's.
2. Aaron Gunn Pyle
Local farmer and painter
Called "Painter of Nebraska"
3. Pony Express Commemorative Stamp
Rode through from April 3, 1860, to October 24, 1861.
4. Congresswoman Virginia Dodd Smith
Served 1975-1991
Virginia Smith Charitable Trust Started in 2007
5. Charles Henry Chappell
Worked for railroad companies 1870-1913
Town named after him.
6. Orianna Ward Chappell
Wife of Charles
Donated Chappell Memorial Library and Act Gallery
7. Broach and Glasses
Artifacts found in the Library's Art Gallery
8. Lincoln Highway Marker
Transcontinental Highway dedicated in 1913 New York to San Francisco
Mural painted by Lauren Olson Art 2021
Erected 2021 by The Buckley Trust.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 41° 5.576′ N, 102° 28.382′ W. Marker is in Chappell, Nebraska, in Deuel County. It is on 2nd Street (U.S.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Nebraska Panhandle. 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 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Yesteryear (within shouting distance of this marker); B-24J Bomber Crash (approx. 0.6 miles away); Historic Lodgepole Creek Valley (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hughes Ranch Pony Express Station (approx. 3.9 miles away); "Dinky" Locomotive (approx. 10 miles away in Colorado); Ovid, Colorado (approx. 10.2 miles away in Colorado); See and Do,Off the Byway (approx. 10.2 miles away in Colorado); Prisoners on the Plains / Ride 'Em Cowboy
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2024
2. Moments in History Mural
The marker is off-frame to the left.
Also see . . .
1. Remembering Dick Cabela. Outdoor Life article of the life of Dick Cabela after all his passing in 2014.
Born in Chappell, Nebraska, in 1936, Dick was known as a rambunctious boy who spent as much time as possible outdoors. But as young child, he was stricken with polio. Doctors told his parents that Dick might never walk again, which the couple and their young son took as a challenge more than a final diagnosis. With determination and some tough love from his parents, Dick was soon walking without assistance or the aid of braces. Throughout his life, he rarely spoke of his bout with the deadly disease, but surely it helped form the gritty work ethic Dick would become known for.(Submitted on June 3, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
Humble Beginnings
In 1961, Dick and his father traveled to Chicago to stock the warehouse of their small furniture store. Dick found a small vendor at the Navy Pier Housewares Show peddling Japanese fishing equipment, including hand-tied fishing flies. An avid fly-fisherman, and a savvy businessman, Dick haggled a deal for 2,880 assortedflies for a reported $45. Certainly Dick had plans to field-test some of these flies, but he also returned home with the idea of selling them at his fathers store. As it turned out, customers of Cabelas Furniture (which is still in business today) were more interested in housewares than fishing tackle, so Dick turned to other outlets in the hopes of at least recouping his initial investment.Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 20243. Moments in History Mural left sideFrom the key on the marker:
1. Cabela's Fishing lure, in reference to Dick Cabela, a co-founder of what is now Cabela's Pro Bass Shop. Company is headquartered nearby in Sidney, NE
2. Aaron Gunter Pyle "Painter of Nebraska"
3. Pony Express Stamp.
7. Brooch (bottom right corner) artifact in the Chappell Library art collection
Eventually, Dick took out an ad in the back of Sports Afield magazine. He offered five of the hand-tied flies for free, provided the customer sent along a quarter for shipping and handling. Americas outdoorsmen jumped on the deal and Dick, along with his wife Mary and his soon-recruited younger brother, Jim Cabela (who still serves on the companys board of directors), spent long hours processing those orders and the many that followed.
2. Artist Biography & Facts Aaron Pyle. Aaron Gunn Pyle (1903 - 1972) was active/lived in Nebraska, Kansas. Aaron Pyle is known for Landscape, still life, figure paintings. Born in Towanda, Kansas, Aaron Pyle was a painter
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2024
4. Moments in History Mural right side
From the key on the marker
4. Congresswoman Virginia Dodd Smith
5. Charles Henry Chappell, for whom Chappell, Nebraska is named
6. Orianna Ward Chappell, wife of Charles, donator of the town's library and art gallery
7. Glasses (bottom left) donated to the library's art gallery
8. Lincoln Highway sign, dedicated in 1913.
4. Congresswoman Virginia Dodd Smith
5. Charles Henry Chappell, for whom Chappell, Nebraska is named
6. Orianna Ward Chappell, wife of Charles, donator of the town's library and art gallery
7. Glasses (bottom left) donated to the library's art gallery
8. Lincoln Highway sign, dedicated in 1913.
3. Virginia D. Smith. Wikipedia entry
Virginia Dodd Smith (June 30, 1911 January 23, 2006) was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1991 for Nebraska's 3rd district. She was the first and to date only woman from Nebraska to hold a seat in the House.(Submitted on June 3, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
4. Deuel County Where Wheat Is King.
The railroad also went through Chappell in these days. Charles Henry Chappell, an Illinois railroad man, was responsible for building the train depot in present day Chappell. When lumber, rails, and other supplies were sent from Omaha to this area, the instructions would simply read, Send this to Chappell. This is how Chappell acquired its name.(Submitted on June 3, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
