Ogallala in Keith County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Great Platte River Road

1813 - 1840

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 9, 2011

1. The Great Platte River Road Marker

Inscription. For generations Nebraska’s Platte Valley provided a natural east-west travel route for native peoples, fur traders, explorers, emigrants, and the military. The first known passage by white men along the Great Platte River Road in the Keith County vicinity was in 1813. Robert Stuart and a party of fur hunters were returning east from Astoria on the Pacific Northwest Coast.

The Astorians were followed in 1820 by Major Stephen Long’s exploring party that ascended the Platte and South Plate to the Rocky Mountains. In 1830 fur trader William Sublette led the first wagon caravan along the Platte to the trappers’ rendezvous in Wyoming. His trek proved that wagons could cross the mountains, showing the way for thousands of overland emigrants to come in the 1840s and 1850s.

Erected by Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Great Platte River Road series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.

Location. 41° 7.542′ N, 101° 43.088′ W. Marker is in Ogallala, Nebraska, in Keith County. Marker is at the intersection of East A Street and West Second Street on East A

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Street. This marker is at the southwest corner of the intersection of East A Street and West Second Street.It is marker No. 1 of the Historic Walk of Fame in Ogallala, NE. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 198 East A Street, Ogallala NE 69153, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Great Platte River Road (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pony Express (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Highways 26 and 92 (about 400 feet away); Standard Oil Gas Station (about 500 feet away); End of the Texas Trail (about 500 feet away); California Hill (about 600 feet away); Interstate 80 (about 600 feet away); The Mormon Trail (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ogallala.

Also see . . . The Great Platter River Road - Wikipedia. (Submitted on December 20, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 9, 2011

2. The Great Platte River Road Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 564 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 20, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.