National Nebraska Day!

1. The state is home to Archie, the biggest mammoth on display in the country.

2. The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ football stadium holds more than 90,000 people.

3. Arbor Day started in 1854 with a pioneer named J. Sterling Morton.

4. Nebraska’s official state soft drink? Kool-Aid.

5. The Carhenge, a replica of the historic English Stonehenge, is located just north of Alliance, Nebraska and is made up of 38 old automobiles that have been arranged the same way as the original Stonehenge.

6. The name “Nebraska” originated with the Otoe Indians. The word “Nebraska” means “flat water” and refers to the Platte River that flows throughout the state.

7. Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska in May, 1925.

8. Nebraska is the only state in the United States with a unicameral legislature (meaning a single legislative chamber).

9. Almost all (91%) of Nebraska is farmland. 1 in 4 jobs in Nebraska are related to agriculture.

10. After Nebraska became the 37th state in 1867, the town of Lancaster was made the capital and was later renamed Lincoln in the honor of Abraham Lincoln.

11. You can still see evidence of Oregon Trail travelers – if you look close enough, the wagon roadbed is still visible at Scotts Bluff National Monument.

12. The Lied Jungle is America’s largest indoor rainforest, located at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha.

13. Nebraska doesn’t have an official state food, but if it did, Runzas would take the crown. Runza is a fast food chain who is known for ground beef and cabbage.

14. It’s a landlocked state, but Nebraska does, in fact, have a Navy, which was commissioned in 1931 by Lt. Governor T.W. Metcalfe.

15. On April 18, 1945, a Japanese balloon bomb exploded in the sky over Dundee, a section of Omaha.

16. Home to the the largest hand-planted forest in the United States, The National Forest at Halsey spreads across more than 90 thousand acres of land!

17. Omaha, Nebraska, is home to one of the most famous billionaires in the world, Warren Buffett.

18. In Nebraska in 1986 for the first time ever two women ran against each other for governorship of a state.

19. Nebraska is a popular place with refugees, who move to America from impoverished and war torn countries.

20. Before Nebraska became a state in the U.S. union, it passed the Homestead Act in 1862.

21. There’s a six-foot-tall statue of Chef Boyardee in Omaha.

22. The state of Nebraska is nowhere near an ocean. However, there is a lighthouse that stands along the road in Ashland, Nebraska.

23. In the late 1800s, a law created in Lehigh, Nebraska forbid merchants from selling donut holes.

24. The world’s largest stamp ball can be seen at the Leon Myers Stamp Center at Boys Town in Nebraska.

25. The University of Nebraska in Lincoln is home to the largest weight room in the United States.

26. The nation’s smallest city hall is in Maskell, Nebraska, being home to about 70 residents since 1930s.

27. Until 1945, Nebraska was known as the “Tree Planter’s State.”

28. All owners of bars in Omaha are required to sell beer while they prepare soup.

29. Ten mammoth fossils are buried under an average square mile of land in Nebraska.

30. There is only one person living in Monowi, Nebraska.

31. Nebraska is in the bottom third of the United States most populated states, having a total population of about 1.8 million people.

32. Many celebrities call the Nebraska home, such as, Fred Astaire, Marlon Brando, Gerald Ford, and Nick Nolte.

33. The amount of land used to produce corn and livestock in Nebraska is greater than in any other state in the U.S.

34. With a diameter of 7 inches, a hailstone which fell in Aurora, Nebraska, during a June 22, 2003 storm was one of the largest hailstorms in the U.S. history.

35. Lincoln City has the mildest maritime climates.

36. Omaha is renowned to be the home for a 3000-foot bridge.

37. Hastings was named in honor of Col. Thomas D. Hastings, a prominent railroad contractor.

38. Kearney is one of the cities in Nebraska that were formed thanks to the construction of America’s railroads.

39. Bellevue is the oldest town in Nebraska, it was established in 1822 for fur trading.

40. The Nebraska Crane Festival puts a spotlight on the sandhill crane migration in Kearney.

41. Omaha has been the home of the College World Series since 1950.

42. Reuben Kulakofsky, a grocer from Lithuania who lived in Omaha, supposedly invented the sandwich roughly between the years 1920 and 1935.

43. At the age of 15, Evelyn Sharp became the youngest female pilot in the United States.

44. A natural geologic formation, designated the Chimney Rock National Historic Site, is one of the most famous landmarks for pioneer travelers on the Oregon Trail.

45. Lincoln is the one of the best destinations for lovers of surfing and kiting.

46. On April 10th, 1872, more than a million trees were planted in Nebraska.

47. Omaha has played host to the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials for three consecutive trials.

48. North Platte was named after the eponymous river that flows through it.

49. The town of Norfolk was settled by German Lutherans in 1865.

50. The city of Fremont was named to honor the American explorer and politician John C. Fremont.

51. Lincoln City has a memorial statue of Abraham Lincoln on the NE 22nd Street.

SOURCE: ALLAMERICANATLAS.COM

There’s A Roller Skating Museum In Nebraska And It’s Full Of Fascinating Oddities, Artifacts, And More

Since 1980, Lincoln, Nebraska has been the home of a one-of-a-kind museum that most people aren’t even aware of. The National Museum of Roller Skating sits in an unassuming little brick building that it shares with the headquarters of USA Roller Sports, the national governing body of roller sports. The next time you’re in the area, don’t pass by this hidden gem; step inside and get to know a fascinating part of American history.

The people behind the National Museum of Roller Skating believe that everyone should know about this delightful activity and its long history. What comes to mind when you think of roller skating? If you’re of a certain age, you probably picture couples gliding hand-in-hand around a hardwood floor as live music floats through the air from the on-site organist.

Younger people may picture a similar scene, but with a DJ and colorful flashing lights in place of a live organist. No matter what your personal experience is with roller skating, chances are you’ve got some positive associations with the activity.

Those fond memories – and much more – are all on display in this unique museum. The exhibits trace the history of roller skating back through the generations, all the way to the early 19th century.

When you visit, you’ll see some early versions of roller skates, beginning with the most primitive pieces of wood with wheels attached.

Some of the crowd-favorite exhibits are the rare and unusual types of roller skates. Would you ever try to race around the rink in these cowboy-boot skates?

Other exhibits tell little-known stories of roller skating as a sport, a hobby, and an all-around cultural phenomenon.

The museum houses the world’s largest collection of roller skating items, making it a must-visit for anyone who has ever felt a rush of excitement as they laced up a pair of skates.

The museum also contains the National Roller Skating Archives, a collection of publications and other information on all aspects of roller skating’s history.

Roller skating is explored here as a sport and an art form, as a diplomatic tool, and a unifying experience that just about everyone can enjoy. See old costumes and uniforms and read all about the surprising ways in which roller skating has influenced the world.

Whether your interest lies in leisurely rolls around the rink, dominating in a roller derby league, or even competitive speed-skating, you’ll find fascinating information at the museum about this underrated all-American activity.

Address: National Museum of Roller Skating, 4730 South St, Lincoln, NE 68506, USA

Missing from the History Books

Plenty of historic events have taken place in Nebraska over the years, but not all of them have made it into common knowledge. Some are so obscure or unusual that they aren’t even found in most history books. These six things are so crazy that it’s almost hard to believe they happened right here at home.

1. A Nebraskan “won the war” for the US.

Andrew Jackson Higgins, born in Columbus in 1886, would grow up to manufacture boats that the US Navy found instrumental in winning WWII (though his company was not based in Nebraska). In fact, more than 96 percent of US Navy boats were “Higgins boats” at the end of the war. Then-General Dwight Eisenhower referred to Higgins as the man who won the war for us.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Higgins

2. Early Nebraska maps featured six “ghost counties” that never existed.

Just after Nebraska became a state, mapmaking company Colton printed maps containing six counties in western Nebraska that were entirely nonexistent. The mistake came about because the mapmaker referenced an early legislative bill which showed an alternate version of the county lines. By the time the county lines were finalized, the maps were already printed. Other mapmakers copied the incorrect map, and the error was not corrected on new maps for more than a decade.

3. Nebraska was hit by a Japanese balloon bomb in WWII…and no one said a word.

Japan sent out balloon bombs during WWII, then tracked where they ended up so they could perfect the technique for hitting their targets from such a far distance. One such bomb exploded over the Dundee area of Omaha in 1945. In the interest of thwarting the Japanese efforts to chart the bomb’s trajectory, the incident was kept completely out of the news until after the war ended. Today, a historical marker stands on the site where the bomb exploded.

4. A tiny Nebraska town voted itself out of existence.

The Thomas County town of Seneca, which was incorporated in 1888, dissolved in 2014 after a year of disputes and acrimony. The incident which began the disputes was regarding an ordinance that barred residents from keeping horses within town limits. Over the course of several months, bickering and bitterness led to the village board voting to dissolve Seneca. The motion won by a single vote. Seneca officially became an unincorporated community in mid-2014.

5. The first self-propelled vehicle west of the Mississippi was debuted in Nebraska.

In the mid-1880s, an entrepreneur named Joseph Renshaw Brown saw the opportunity to introduce steam-powered vehicles to the prairie. His contraption caused a lot of excitement in Nebraska City where its journey began. After its payload was attached and the vehicle started to chug toward Kearney, it unceremoniously died seven miles into the trip. Although it didn’t achieve its mission, the vehicle still made history.

6. A “volcano” once existed in Nebraska…before it was washed away.

In northeastern Nebraska, a mysterious hill right on the banks of the Missouri River used to release heat and steam of such power that people assumed it was a volcano. In reality, it was a chemical reaction within the hill causing these events. In 1878, a flood washed the “volcano” away forever.

History of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

I was unable to find a picture by itself of the current church/school but you can see it in the opening picture in this video. Overhead view of the current church, with the school I attended on the right; I was baptized in this church in 1953 and was confirmed in April 1967. The entire wing on the left and the parking lot was added after I left the area.

In the year 1865, a group of members of the Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul congregation at Ixonia, WI gathered together with the desire to raise their cildren near a church and school. This caused them to consider emigration. Pastor Hoeckendorf, the minister of this congregation, at that time had relatives who lived near West Point, NE. So they got the idea to send scouts into this area. They wanted some trustworthy people to check everything out right there on location.

The info in this post was taken from this booklet.

They entrusted this important matter to “Father” Braasch, “Father” Wagner, and John Gensmer. These men departed for NE and, since the area surrounding West Point was already more or less settled and the whole group couldn’t possibly also settle there, they ventured further north over the wild plains of Nebraska until they came to the area which is now Norfolk.

They found that the land was fertile, the water drinkable, and wood was also found on the North Fork and the Elkhorn rivers. Very pleased with their finding, they joyfully returned to Ixonia and delivered the good news.

Pic from internet

On May 23, 1866, it was time for the old pioneers to leave their homes and strike out toward their new destination. It was a difficult time since many heartrending goodbyes were required – parents to their children, children to their parents, brothers and sisters parted, relatives and friends shook hands for the last time. The long journey was made in “prairie schooners” pulled by horses and oxen. In 3 caravans, 53 wagons moved through the uncultivated terrain, accompanied by cattle and sheep. Along the way, they encountered great difficulties, such as crossing rivers without bridges and maneuvering through swamps. Some days they had to stop to wash clothes and bake bread and on Sundays, they observed regular church services, which were led by Father Braasch, the leader of the whole train.

Around the 12th of July 1866, the members of the new German Settlement arrived in close proximity to the present-day Norfolk. After the land was measured and raffled off, everybody moved onto their allotted properties from 17-20 July.

Note: You may need to enlarge the pic to see – on the left just over half-way down, you will see the name “William Duhring.” (My brother inherited the farm and now his children have inherited it from him – Chris gets the land in order to keep it in the Deering name, ‘Nette gets the house.) That was my birth grandfather, Arnold Deering’s Father (Grandpa changed the spelling of his last name in order to appear less German, probably due to WWII, I expect). If you look up further towards the center, close to the river, you will see the name “Martin Raasch,” my adopted great-great-grandfather.

I’m not sure when this picture was taken – clearly not in 2007 – but these were the 4 remaining founders still alive at that time. August Raasch, my adopted great-grandfather, was the first postmaster in Norfolk. He was wounded at Gettysburg and carried shrapnel in his back until he died; in later years, he was basically an invalid but with 12 children (mostly boys), he had plenty of help on the farm.

Of course, it took time to build homes and barns so, in the meantime, they either built one-room log cabins or sod houses.

The first services of this new settlement took place in a shed on the North Fork of the Elkhorn River. Shrubs and branches covered the roof to provide shade and the dirt floor was covered with hay. For the rest of that first summer, they held church services in this shed. I don’t know when the first real church, a log building 24 X 30, was built – there was no altar or chancel and the benches consisted of boards which were laid on wooden blocks. Occasionally the boards would fall over when the people rose during the service. This church was used until the year 1878; in 1876, the congregation had bought 12 acres from Pastor Hoekendorf for $120.

The first parsonage was built in 1878 and at the April meeting that year, the congregation decided to build a new church. The new one would be 36 X 50 and cost approximately $1,405. The number of school children increased significantly so the congregation found it necessary to hire a regular teacher and build a school house. Since they already had a teacher, a house for him was also required, which was constructed in 1884.

Although the church building was finished, the interior was bare – no chancel, altar, benches or organ. Father Braasch made the initial contribution when he paid for an altar and chancel for the church, providing an example for the wealthy people among the members. The congregation bought the benches and, in 1884, they acquired a pipe organ (the organ still remains in the current church, as you will see in the interior picture). Since the church did not have enough seating for the attendants and the school also needed another classroom, the congregation voted unamimously to build a new church. During a meeting on January 21, 1907, the decision was made to build a brick building.

Architect Stitt created the plans and specifications for the beautiful building, which was designed in the gothic style of the 13th century. The cost of the building and interior came to about $24K. The cornerstone was laid in August of 1907 and the dedication took place on May 3, 1908. The old church was remodeled to serve for school functions and weekly catechism.

In July 1916, it had been 50 years since the founding fathers of our congregation arrived on these grassy plains. Since the congregation did not want to let this day pass without an expression of gratitude to God, they decided to celebrate their 50th anniversary on July 16, 1916. For this event, they had the interior of the church painted – the finished work is a credit to the master, Mr. Art Reiman of Milwaukee, and is a perfect work of art.

*At the end of the 1st row is my birth grandmother, Marie Deering (she loved Hitler, btw); in the 2nd row, you will see my grandfather, Arnold, as well as Ernest Raasch, my adopted grandfather.*

Esther Raasch was my adopted grandmother – Ernest died around the time I was born. He was a Nebraska State Senator. My birth mother lived with them for a period of time while she was in HS – she and my adopted Mom were close friends.

History of Sugar Beet Production in Nebraska

Nebraska’s Panhandle is in the far western portion of the state, and plays a major role in the state’s agricultural economy. One of the specialty crops with the greatest significance to the state economy is sugar beets, and it is unique to western Nebraska and concentrated in the Panhandle. Approximately 90% of the sugar beets grown in Nebraska are produced in the Panhandle. Most production occurs in Scotts Bluff, Morrill, and Box Butte counties, but acreage is increasing in Sheridan, Banner, Kimball, Cheyenne, Chase, Keith, and Perkins counties.

Harvest Begins in the Panhandle

Nebraska currently ranks 6th in the U.S. in production and generally ranges between 45,000-60,000 acres planted per year, with a high of 80,000 in 2000. Sugar beets contribute economically through both the production and processing industries and are estimated to contribute more than $130,000,000 to the local economy through payrolls, property taxes, and other impacts.

Geography and Climate

Sugar beets have been successfully produced in Nebraska for nearly 100 years. This is due, in part, to a number of environmental factors characteristic of the western part of the state. Sugar beets need long days (approximately 140 growing days) with sunshine and abundant moisture during the season.

This region typically produces an average of 135-160 clear days per year, which is ideal for sugar beets. The elevation ranges from 3,000-5,000 ft and the resulting hot days and cool nights provide excellent conditions for development and storage of sucrose in the tap roots. The Panhandle additionally has a high desert-type semi-arid climate receiving 14-16 inches rainfall per year. This provides an additional advantage for western Nebraska – an arid climate that helps reduce incidence and severity of several important foliar disease problems that traditionally plague the Minnesota-North Dakota, and Michigan producers, such as Cercospora leaf spot. Although levels of required moisture in Nebraska are generally deficient for proper plant growth, this problem is solved by supplementation with irrigation.

Irrigation

The Panhandle grows about 700,000 acres of irrigated crops, including all sugar beets produced in Nebraska. Irrigation in Nebraska began in the early 1890’s in Scotts Bluff County to augment alfalfa hay production for livestock for winter feeding. This led to development of irrigation in other introduced crops like sugar beets, and later dry beans. Early efforts were small, furnished by local capital. After the Reclamation Service was established, dams were built across the North Platte River in Wyoming, thus paving the way for a complex series of canals to be built across Scotts Bluff County in western Nebraska.

Furrow System Irrigation

These canals became the lifeblood of this region and enabled producers to irrigate beets through furrow systems, which still predominate in the North Platte Valley of Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties. With the introduction of the center pivot irrigation systems and the vast quantities of water available from the Ogallala aquifer, the acreage has been able to spread beyond the Valley to the tablelands north and south of the North Platte River. Approximately two-thirds of the production is now irrigated by center pivots.

Center Pivot Irrigation

Sugar Beets Begin in Nebraska

Sugar production in Nebraska began in 1890, with the first factory being established in Grand Island. This was also the second factory to operate successfully in the United States (after the first in Albany, CA). Weather related problems yielded low crop levels and farmers became discouraged with continuation of sugar beet production. The state of Nebraska then offered a bounty of one cent per pound on sugar produced in Nebraska to encourage the industry to expand. Other factories were then built in Norfolk and Ames in 1891 and 1899, respectively.

The farmers in the Norfolk area eventually discovered that they received better returns raising corn and livestock than sugar beets, and the factory was closed in 1905. The factory in Ames was built by the Standard Beet Company, which soon recognized the potential for the sugar beet industry in the North Platte Valley.

By 1900, enough sugar beets had been raised in the Panhandle to convince farmers that their land was suitable for this crop. It was then determined that a more extensive means of irrigation was necessary than that used by early homesteaders if the crop was going to significantly expand. Thus, the Tri-State Land Company was founded and set out to develop irrigation throughout the Valley.

In 1909, land was acquired, a factory site was secured, and Great Western Sugar Company bought the factory previously located in Ames, Nebraska and moved it to Scottsbluff. For the 1910 season, twelve thousand acres were contracted at $5.00 a ton and the factory was completed in time for the fall crop, beginning the foundation for sugar beets becoming the great agricultural industry it is today.

Delivering Sugar Beets in Scottsbluff

Social and Economic Influences

By 1904-1905, contract acres from the Standard Beet Sugar Company for sugar beets approached 300. However, many of the farmers in Scotts Bluff County were unfamiliar with the process of sugar beet production. In order to fulfill high potential for this area, efforts were made to recruit help from more experienced growers.

It was at this time that the German-Russians (referred to as “beeters”) from Lincoln and Omaha were enticed to come to the North Platte Valley. These workers first came to the Panhandle seasonally in spring at planting, and returning in the fall after harvest. Their experience with sugar beets dated back to their time in Europe, and was also essential in the initial efforts to produce beets in eastern Nebraska.

By 1924, two-thirds of the sugar beet workers in Scotts Bluff County were German-Russians. As they became more Americanized, they began to find other jobs that would sustain them for the entire year, and their numbers decreased in sugar beet fields. Many also settled in the Scottsbluff area and became landowners after thriftily saving their money to buy land. Today much of the land in Scotts Bluff County is owned by second and third generation descendants of the original German-Russian “beeters.”

In 1905 the acreage planted was less than 300, with yields of seven tons per acre. By the late 1920’s – early 1930’s, farmers in the Valley were growing up to 80,000 acres with yields of 12 tons per acre. As the volume of sugar beet production increased over the years, it became apparent that greater processing capacity was needed. This led to the construction of more factories, including those at Gering (1916), Bayard (1917), Mitchell (1920), Minatare (1926), and Lyman (1927). There were additionally beet dumps established in McGrew and Melbeta near the railroads for easy transportation to Scottsbluff or Minatare for processing, similar to the process in place today. In fact, the name chosen for the town “Melbeta” translates as “sweet beet” in German.

Summary

Irrigation was the major factor in the establishment of the sugar beet industry in western Nebraska. Secondly, the railroads were likewise very influential as they provided transportation to move the beets from field to factory and then to market. They also allowed coal to be brought into the area to furnish fuel for operating the factories. In turn, sugar beets were directly responsible for the immigration and settling of descendants for many of the county’s current residents. Thus, sugar beets were not only responsible for the ethnic makeup of western Nebraska, but also for the economic development and improvement of the area.

Sugar Beet Field

The cultivation of sugar beets enabled the development of roads, expansion of railroads, improvement of schools, and growth and spatial arrangement of cities and farms in Scotts Bluff County. The number of farms increased from 421 in 1900 to 1391 in 1920. The number of people per square mile in the county increased from 2.6 in 1880 to 28.8 in 1920. The increase in population between 1910 and 1920 was more than 147%, one of the highest percentages of population gains in the United States.

Digging Sugar Beets

Therefore, the development of the sugar beet industry could arguably be the single most important and influential factor in the county, from the building of the sugar factory in 1910 to the present, and has defined Scotts Bluff County as it is known today.

Shhh… These 15 Hidden Places Are Nebraska’s Best Kept Secrets

Overall, Nebraska is pretty good at keeping secrets. There are still tons of people who have no idea that ours is a state full of impressive natural beauty and enviable attractions. Even for those of us who have lived here forever, there’s always more to explore and discover…like these 15 places.

1. Kregel Windmill Factory Museum, Nebraska City

This fun museum is all about that most ubiquitous of rural Nebraska sights: the windmill. Kregel Windmill Factory Museum is filled with the machinery and tools that were used to manufacture windmills at the beginning of the 20th century.

2. Florence Mill, Omaha

Just down the street from the Mormon Winter Quarters is the historic Florence Mill, built under the supervision of Brigham Young in 1846. The original mill has been rebuilt and added onto several times over the years, but it contains the only remaining structural components of the original Winter Quarters settlement. Today it’s an art gallery and a meeting space – there’s even a farmers market on the grounds in the summer.

3. Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art, David City

This fairly new museum is the nation’s only museum displaying exclusively agrarian art. Bone Creek has received much praise from the art community for its thoughtful, complex, and well-organized exhibits. This is a must-visit for anyone who sees the agricultural life as rich with artistic opportunities.

4. Happy Jack Peak and Chalk Mine, Scotia

Those of you who know and love Happy Jack will be shocked to learn that there are so many Nebraskans who have no idea it exists. This diatomite mine – and the big hill and gorgeous surroundings outside – should be a required destination for all Nebraskans. Read up on its history and plan your own visit on the attraction’s website.

5. The Speakeasy, Sacramento (Holdrege)

Being located in the middle of nowhere, in a town that doesn’t actually exist anymore, doesn’t hurt the Speakeasy’s business at all. If anything, it seems like people are drawn to this mysterious oasis of gourmet food in south-central Nebraska. The formally trained chef brings a creative element to the food that is hard to find in rural areas. Read more about the Speakeasy here.

6. Alpha Omega Labyrinth, North Platte

There are, perhaps surprisingly, quite a few labyrinths in Nebraska. This one, however, was constructed as an Eagle Scout project in 2007. We think that makes it pretty unique. The Alpha Omega Labyrinth is located just outside of the First United Methodist Church in North Platte, and the public is welcome to come walk the path and seek enlightenment.

7. Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 30 miles north of Oshkosh

The peace that you’ll feel out in the still air on the western edge of the Sandhills is indescribable. This place is truly magical.

8. Old Poor Farm Animal Sanctuary, Dodge County

This farm has a long and fascinating history – you can read all about it here. Today it houses animals that would otherwise have nowhere to go. It’s open seasonally for historical tours.

9. Heron Haven, Omaha

It comes as a surprise to many that there’s such a relaxing, serene natural place within Omaha city limits. The spring-fed wetland sanctuary offers education on conservation and natural history, and of course it’s the perfect place for birders.

10. Terry’s Steakhouse, Virginia

Yes, Nebraska, there is a Virginia – it’s near Beatrice in Gage County. In the extremely tiny town with fewer than 60 residents is a steakhouse that’s definitely worth the drive. Terry’s Steakhouse is a true gem with more than its share of devoted fans.

11. Johnson Lake State Recreation Area, near Elwood

The large lake at this recreation area is surrounded by a relatively small amount of land, leaving the focus firmly on the water. You can camp, swim, fish, and generally just enjoy the outdoors at Johnson Lake, and it’s less crowded than some of Nebraska’s other recreation areas.

12. Museum of Shadows, Plattsmouth

Are you afraid of the things that go bump in the night? This is where they live. This unique museum is the only one of its kind in the Midwest, and it’s sure to delight ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts. The Museum of Shadows isn’t just for Halloween; its exhibits are open to entertain and enlighten all year round.

13. Rock Creek Station Historical Park, Fairbury

This is one of several places in Nebraska where you can actually see and touch the ruts worn into the ground by wagons on their westward journey on the Oregon Trail. Visit Rock Creek Station in the summer and you’ll see living history reenactments that will really bring the past to life.

14. The Most Unlikely Place, Lewellen

This place definitely lives up to its name; you wouldn’t expect to find healthy food, an organic farm, and a thriving art community out here in western Nebraska, but The Most Unlikely Place delivers them all.

15. The underground missile silo house, near Kimball

Driving past this property may not alert you to the wonder that exists below the surface. An abandoned Cold War-era missile silo has been converted into a large subterranean home with all – ok, most – of the amenities you’d find above ground. Find more information about this unique home here.

Show of hands: is there anyone who already knew about every one of this hidden treasures? How many of them are you planning to visit now?

More Hidden Gems in Nebraska

National Museum of Roller Skating, Lincoln

The National Museum of Roller Skating in Lincoln, Nebraska is home to the largest collection of roller skates in the world, going back as far back as 1819. The museum aims at educating skating enthusiasts from all around the world about the history and evolution of skating as something more than just a hobby.

At the museum, the staff works towards collecting and preserving the enriching past of skating. Along with the biggest collection of historical roller skates, the National Museum of Roller Skating also houses patents, trophies, artworks, photographs, costumes, videos, and any other memorabilia related to the world of Skating.

There are approximately 1,500 books and journals related to roller skating. Among the museum’s most prized collections are the James L. Plimpton (the Father of contemporary roller skating) family collection, Antonio Pirello’s jetpack skates, and pictures of Scott Baio on roller skates.

Panorama Point, Pine Bluffs

The highest natural point in Nebraska, Panorama Point in Pine Bluffs stands at 5,429 feet above the sea level and as opposed to what you may believe, it’s not a mountain or even a hill – it’s just a small rise on the High Plains!

Located on the ground of High Point Bison Ranch, the summit at the Panorama Point has a stone marker and a guest register. There used to be several bison roaming freely in the area as well, but now they remain behind fences. As you reach the Point, vast plains extend in front of you as far as your eyes can see and on a clear day, you can spot the Rocky Mountains in the distance.

As a visitor, pay the nominal entrance fee and if you come across a bison on your way, don’t scare it away.

Old Lincoln Highway in Omaha, Omaha

Originally constructed in 1913 to run between New York City to San Francisco, the Old Lincoln Highway was the first coast-to-coast highway built in the United States of America. Among the 13 states that it catered to, Nebraska’s section of the highway ran between Omaha and Elkhorn.

However, in 1929, after the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Bridge was constructed, the highway was rerouted onto U.S. Route 30 through Blair (a city in Nebraska). After the rerouting was completed, officials from Blair, inhumanely, dug up the markers from the highway section in Omaha and placed them in their town.

Though this resulted in a long-standing resentment between the two towns, it is perhaps also the reason behind this century-old stretch of an old highway to remain so well-reserved.

This three-mile stretch may not remain as crucial as it once was, but it definitely is the longest surviving brick-paved section of America’s first coast-to-coast highway. The Old Lincoln Highway was registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse and Lounge, Paxton

Established by Rosser O. Herstedt (aka Ole), the Steakhouse and Lounge is not just a simple steakhouse, although it does serve some mean steaks. It, in fact, is a private collection of taxidermy gathered by Ole during his 30+ years as a Game Hunter.

Purchased in 1933, the Big Game Steakhouse and Lounge got its first taxidermy object in 1938, an elk’s head that Ole had killed during one of his many hunting sprees. He traveled the world in search of bigger, better, and rare games and brought home the heads of his catch as a medal to be showcased at the steakhouse. Among the rare collection are giraffes, elephants, moose, and even a full-size taxidermy polar bear, which is also the bar’s mascot.

Ole retired from hunting in 1988, however, new owners kept adding to the collection. Today, over 200 taxidermy mounts, as well as celebrity photos, are on display at the Steakhouse and Lounge and the watering hole continues to attract local hunters to date.

Hudson-Meng Bison Kill, Harrison

In 1954, Albert Meng, a Nebraskan cattleman, decided to expand a historic spring to provide water for his cattle when he stumbled upon bones – lots and lots of them!

Discovered within the grounds of Oglala National Grasslands, the seriously alarming number of carcasses were later confirmed by researchers and scientists to have belonged to over 600 bison from approximately 10,000 years ago.

Meng consulted with his friend, Bill Hudson, an amateur archaeologist, and after digging for almost three years, Meng and Hudson were accredited with unearthing the largest collection of Alberta Culture bison found anywhere on earth.

Though the area was reportedly a hunting ground from the time when Native American tribes inhabited the land, research showed that the bison found at the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill died of inexplicable natural causes.

Hidden Gems in Nebraska

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.