Hidden Gems in Nebraska

Nebraska, Travel 4 Minutes

From TheCrazyTourist website

Once known as the “Great American Desert,” Nebraska is a state situated on the Great Plains region of the United States of America. It is the only state in the nation to be triply landlocked, meaning that one must travel across three other states to get to the nearest body of water.

The state derives its name from the Omaha words Ní Btháska and Otoe words Ñí Brásge, both meaning “flat water.” The state houses 93 counties, split into two different time zones – the eastern part of Nebraska follows Central Time whereas the western part follows Mountain Time.

Did you know that Nebraska’s Lied Jungle rainforest is the largest indoor rainforest in the world? Did you also know that the ‘911’ emergency call system was first used in the capital of Nebraska – Lincoln?

Indigenous tribes such as Omaha, Otoe, Pawnee, and Missouria occupied the state for several thousand years before settlers from Spain and France sought control over the region. Nebraska, the 37th state of U.S., was admitted to the union in 1867. Nebraska is rich in history, geography, and culture yet it is one of the least visited states. Let us explore some of the hidden gems in Nebraska and see what they offer us.

Source: Sioux Army Depot / Facebook

Sioux Army Depot, Potter
Founded on March 23rd, 1942 as Sioux Ordnance Depot, the Sioux Army Depot was the only Ammunition Depot of the U.S. Army in Nebraska that was in use during World War II, the Korean War, as well as the Vietnam War. Initially managed by the Ordnance Department, the Army Depot was handed over to the U.S. Army Materiel Command.

The Depot was established with an aim to receive, store, and issue all types of weaponries ranging from small arms to 10,000-pound explosives. The Depot was also responsible for providing all types of automobile parts and other critical materials that may be required by the U.S. Army.

Spread across 19,771 acres of land, the Sioux Army Depot comprised 801 ammunition storage igloos, 392, supportive buildings, 225 residential quarters, 22 general warehouses, 203 miles of road, and 51 miles of rail tracks.

Deactivated in June 1967, the “igloos” are now used by farmers as a storage facility and garage to house their supplies and equipment.

Source: Edwin Verin / shutterstock

Carhenge, Alliance
An unusual way to commemorate a loved one, Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska was created by Jim Reinders, an experimental artist, as a way to honor his beloved father who passed away in 1982.

Greatly inspired by Stonehenge, the iconic monument in Wiltshire, England, Carhenge was established in 1987 with a bunch of 38 automobiles arranged in the exact structure of the original England monument. The vehicles used in the composition include cars, trucks, a 1962 Cadillac (the heel stone), and an ambulance.

All the pieces in this unique formation have been spray painted in the shade of grey and the installation was completed just in time for the Summer Solstice. A visitor center was added in 2006. Carhenge has played a significant part in several movies and television programs. Most recently, it was the site where State Governor Pete Ricketts and 4,000 Nebraskans watched the solar eclipse that occurred on August 21st, 2017.

Source: Harold Warp Pioneer Village/Facebook

Harold Warp’s Pioneer Village, Minden

Spread over 20 acres of land, Pioneer Village is a replica town which was established by a small-time business turned millionaire, Harold Warp, who, through his creation, wanted to portray the typical rags-to-riches American dream.

Warp, a boot-strapping businessman from Minden, Nebraska worked his way through from living in a “soddy” to becoming a millionaire. And, once he acquired all that wealth, instead of investing it in a mansion or a yacht, he decided to dedicate his life’s earning in creating a replica town that celebrated the opportunities that America rewarded him with.

Founded in 1953, the Pioneer Village includes a collection of 28 buildings which include some of the historic buildings from Warp’s hometown, an exact replica of his sod house, a vast collection of automobiles, and unusual artifacts such as Lincoln’s sugar bowl. All the structures in the village are positioned in a chronological order, depicting a gradual process of America’s evolution and achievements.

Source: Peter Forman/Facebook

William Thompson’s Scalped Scalp, Omaha

In August 1867, William Thompson, an English repairman hired by the Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, was sent to the small town of Lexington to fix an inoperative telegraph wire. Thompson, along with his fellow repairmen, were on their way to the town when a group of 25 Cheyenne tribe members attacked the train.

The rail coach derailed, and all men aboard were killed except for Thompson – he was shot in the shoulder and his scalp was scraped off of his skull. Thompson fainted due to the torture, which must have saved his life since the attackers mistook him as dead and left the scalp next to him.

Upon regaining senses, Thompson went back to Omaha and consulted Dr. Richard Moore on reattaching his scalp. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible, so Thompson put his scalp on display instead and capitalized it. In 1900, Thompson sent the scalp back to Dr. Moore, who in turn donated the weird specimen to the public library.

Today, William Thompson’s scalp rests in a darkroom and is displayed only on special occasions.

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Published by NebraskaFilly

Army veteran (1976-1979), retired with entirely too much time on my hands

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205 thoughts on “Hidden Gems in Nebraska”

  14. Alaska Hands Over Elections to Corrupt Democrats – Upcoming Election Will Have All Mail-In Ballots and No Signature Check—- Oh come on Alaska

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/03/alaska-handing-elections-corrupt-democrats-upcoming-election-will-mail-ballots-no-signature-check/

    Hunter Biden Was Accessing Defense Department Systems and His Government Password Was His Favorite Men’s Clothing Store in Beverly Hills—– so oshkosh b’gosh? 😉

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/03/exclusive-hunter-biden-accessing-defense-department-systems-password-favorite-mens-clothing-store-beverly-hills/

    Liked by 2 people

  15. So a temper tantrum

    Sean Penn Says He Will Destroy His Oscars if They Don’t Let Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Speak

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/03/sean-penn-says-will-destroy-oscars-dont-let-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelenskyy-speak/

    Actor Sean Penn says that he will publicly smelt his Oscar awards if the the Academy does not let Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak.
    In an interview with CNN, Penn demanded that the Academy has an “obligation” to give the Ukrainian president a platform during their show.

    And I have an obligation not to watch.

    The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award show airs on Sunday.

    “There is nothing greater that the Academy Awards could do than to give (Zelenskyy) an opportunity to talk to all of us. It is my understanding that a decision has been made not to do it. That is not me commenting on whether or not President Zelenskyy had wanted to,” Penn said.

    Mom: Who? Oh that idiot. Can’t stand him. He has an Oscar? We’ll go ahead melt away snowflake.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. And another one bites the dust! SMH – of course, no mention of the jab!

    EXCERPT: “NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music singer and songwriter Jeff Carson, who scored hits with “Not On Your Love,” and “The Car” before becoming a police officer, has died in Tennessee, his publicist said. Carson was 58. Carson died of a heart attack at a hospital in Franklin, said Jeremy Westby of 2911 Media.”

    https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2022/03/27/country-music-singer-jeff-carson-dies-of-heart-attack-at-58/

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Liked by 1 person

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