Near Auburn in Nemaha County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Half-Breed Tract
It was an accepted custom for many early fur traders to marry into Indian tribes. As the Indians ceded their lands, the rights of the half-breed descendants were not always identified. This situation was recognized by the government in 1830, byt the Prairie Du Chien Treaty which set aside a tract of land for the half-breeds of the Oto, Iowa, Omaha and Santee Sioux tribes.
This tract was located between the Great and Little Nemaha rivers. In 1838, the land was surveyed by John C. McCoy, who placed the western boundary as specified. This caused problems, as later white settlers were to settle on Indian lands west of McCoy's line. Congress ordered the land resurveyed, and in 1858 the McCoy line was made official. On September 10, 1860, Louis Neal received the first patent.
The owners were never required to live on their property and many eventually sold their lands to whites. One of the original survey lines is now partly identified by the Half-Breed Road which runs in a southeast direction from here. The descendants of some pioneer fur traders still live in the area.
Erected by Auburn Junior Woman's Club and Historical Land Mark Council. (Marker Number 58.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1848.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 40° 23.576′ N, 95° 49.306′ W. Marker was near Auburn, Nebraska, in Nemaha County. Marker was on Central Avenue (U.S. 136) near Half-Breed Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is at a roadside pullout. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Auburn NE 68305, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Legion Memorial Park Lily Pond (approx. 0.8 miles away); Nemaha County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Legion Memorial Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); Auburn Post Office Mural (approx. 0.9 miles away); Nemeha County Courthouse (approx. 1.3 miles away); Peru State College (approx. 7.3 miles away); The Little Red Schoolhouse (approx. 7.3 miles away); The Nebraska State Teachers' Association (approx. 8˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Auburn.
Also see . . . Half-Breed Tract. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 20, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,161 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo at pull-off showing former location of marker. • Can you help?