2015 Pine Ridge

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Harrison CrawforChadron Hay SprRushville Gordon

Pine

Ridge

ChristopherAmundson

The Nebraska Badlandsis an area full of beauty,

Wild West history and

the fossils of creatures

long since absent from

Nebraska. For adventur-

ers that seek out this

landscape, a lifetime of

memories await.

GETTING STARTED

Paradise in the Pine

a symphony of soustream past white cdance in the thick gand songbirds singto the percussion opushing cyclists onride over another b

go wild when the bsheep join the showforest whispers in tprairie wind that alare welcome. Thereroom for humans, t

History embracesnorthwest ridge, anlegends live on in tuncommon beauty

wide and 100 milesgiant bedroom for the cowboys still rithe sunset. But theto saddle up at daw

every morning is pPine Ridge Country

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Chadron Chamber o Commerce

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WELCOME CEREST AREAS

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Agate Fossil Beds

Oglala National Grassland

Toadstool Geologic Park

Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center

Fossil hunting

Horseback riding

Fort Robinson State Park

High Plains Homestead

Mountain biking

Dawes County Historical Museum

Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center Museum of the Fur Trade

Metcalf Wildlife Management Area

Tri-State Old Time Cowboy Museum

Trailside Museum of Natural History

Attractions

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14 JOURNEY TO WESTERN NEBRASKA 2015 DAWES COUNTYPIN

Chadron

Home to 5,800 residents, Chadron isa city with a rollicking rontier historythat includes hearty ur traders, toughcowboys, Indians, ranchers, scholarsand railroaders. Te community liesbetween the orested Pine Ridge to thesouth and the High Plains that rise tothe north andwest.

Founded in 1921, Chadron StatePark is Nebraskas oldest state park,encompassing nearly 1,000 acres oPine Ridge wilderness. Located ninemiles south o Chadron on High-way 385, the park oers trout ishing,camping, hiking, mountain biking,bird watching and horseback riding.here are 22 two-bedroom, house-

keeping cabins available April 15-Nov.15. A swimming pool and sand vol-leyball courts elevate the un here, andmountain bikes and paddle boats canbe rented. he park also has an RVcampground complete with 70 elec-trical hookups, showers, laundromat,dump station and a playground. Primi-tive camping also is available in this

scenic state park. Hike and bike trailsspread out in every direction in Chad-ron State Park. he park is open year-round or day use and or camping.(308) 432-6167.

Te Pine Ridge Ranger District othe Nebraska National Forestis 52,000acres o ponderosa pine and mixed grassprairies. Primitive camping is allowed

throughout. Te Redground has picnic tablevault toilets; it is eighChadron on Highway3

Te orest has abomarked trails. Tey areo the best mountain the state. Hikers and henjoy them, too. Te arlar trail heads include Ash, Soldier Creek, Cted ail, Roberts, StroOutrider. Roberts andheads have horse corraand other amenities. Ocertified to be ree oare allowed. Off-road v

equipped with spark arthe danger o wildfires.maps are available at thChamber o CommercPark offers the NationNational Grassland ma(800) 603-2937.

Te Pine Ridge NatiArea is a 6,600-acre pa

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ited to non-motorized recreation. Tereare corrals or horses, a rider ramp,modern toilets, drinkable water via ahand pump, and picnic tables. Hiking,horseback riding and mountain bikingare allowed here. Te recreation areaand trail head are connected by the sce-nic 3 Mile Loop.

Te best entry point to the Pine RidgeNational Recreation Area is rom theRoberts trail head, eight miles westo Chadron on Highway 20 to Eleson

Road, then seven miles south to BethelRoad and then 1 1/2 miles east. Tere isa charge or overnight camping at Rob-erts trail head and there is no charge orday useactivities.

Te Museum of the Fur Trade islocated at the site o a trading postoperated by the American Fur Com-pany rom 1837 to 1876. Te buildinghas been reconstructed on the originaloundation. But the museums three gal-leries go ar beyond local history. Teyinterpret the ur trade rom the Arcticto the American Southwest, rom earlycolonial days to the 20thcentury.

Exhibits trace the everyday liveso British, French and Spanish trad-ers, voyageurs, mountain men, bu-alo hunters, and plains and woodlandIndians. Among the museums rareartiacts are trade goods rom the 18thand 19th centuries such as North-west muskets made or Native Ameri-cans (including one that belonged tothe amous Shawnee chie, ecumseh),trade silver, textiles, beads, costumesand paints. he museum is three mileseast o Chadron on Highway 20. OpenMay 1-Oct. 31 or by appointment.(308) 432-3843.

In 1890, afer the inamous WoundedKnee Massacre in nearby South Dakota,Gen. Nelson Miles commandeered alocal hotel, the Chadron House, whilehe investigated the incident. Te luxuryhotel was the towns showplace. oday,restored to its ormer glory, it is open as

the Olde Main Street Inn.It offers lodg-ing, dining and includes the 77 Long-branch Saloon.It is at 115 Main St. (308)432-3380.

Teres another historic hotel inChadron. When the Chadron to Chi-cago Horse Race kicked off in 1893, itdid so with a shot fired by Chadronsfire chie rom a Colt revolver rom the

veranda o the Blaine Hotel.

Te event began as a joke, but then itgained momentum and came to ruitionand garnered attention rom aroundthe world, putting little Chadron onthe map. Characters like notorious or-mer horse thie Doc Middleton, a raceavorite among Chadron residents, andWilliam F. Buffalo Bill Cody wereinvolved. It is no surprise that dishon-

esty and cheating were

the winner crossed thdays later at Codys BuWest show at the WorlCowboy rail covers pmile race route.

Te building wheredamaged by fire in 2012restored and is an apatoday. Owners Larry a

Through annual events and authentic displMuseum of the Fur Trade at Chadron preser

historic fur trading culture of the Old West.

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Western Nebraskas National Forestsand Grasslands are a playground ofmystery and beauty. Explore themon bike, foot or horseback. Uncoverthe mystery of the world-famousHudson-Meng Bison Bonebed.

Call 308-665-3900 for freemaps and exploration guides.

Mystery and Beautyat Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands

Visit www.fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska, for more information.


eschi wont mind i you pose or a selfieor amily photo on the doorstep wherethat amous raced launched rom all

those years ago at 159 BordeauxSt.Te Dawes County HistoricalMuseum five miles south o Chadronon Highway 385 has an original loghouse and barn, a schoolhouse and a rail-road caboose, in addition to collections oartiacts used by area pioneers. It is openMemorial Day-Sept. 30. (308) 432-4999.

Completed in 2002, the Mari San-doz High Plains Heritage Center isdedicated to the study o Nebraskaand High Plains culture, literatureand history. Located on the campuso Chadron State College, the centereatures museum and art exhibits, anarchival library and a magnificent two-storyatrium.

It is named afer Mari Sandoz (1896-1966), who is among Nebraskas best-known authors. A High Plains native,

she gained national prominence withher 1935 biography o her ather, OldJules. In her books, Sandoz wrote pow-erully o Plains subjects such as CrazyHorse, the Cheyenne Outbreak, buffalohunters and beaver trappers. (308) 432-6401.

For more inormation about Chad-ron, contact the Chadron Chamber oCommerce at (800) 603-2937.

Festival of Quilt sApril 17-19. Learn about quilts through

demonstrations. Quilt show and vendors.

Fur Trade DaysJuly 10-12. Join the 39th annual celebratioing Western Nebraskas fur trading heritagfrom a pr imitive buckskinner camp, histor

TradersMarket, parade and more. (30

History in Action DayAlways the second Sunday in September.

style butter churning, wool spinning and ma

There will be buggy rides and horse shoe coKnow how to make rope? You can learn at t

the Dawes County Historical Museum. (3

Flora Sandoz, Wildflowers of NFlora Rosa Sandoz was born to Jules and

1906. Her sister Marie, who later becamewriter and changed her own name to Ma

younger sibling. The girl with the floweryin the wildflower rich Nebraska Sandhillshorticulturists. A permanent exhibit dework is displayed at Chadron State Col

Center. (308) 432-6401.

Chadron Events

Nebraskan Mari Sandozbecame a writer despite

the harsh objections ofher father, Old Jules.Her lifes work is pre-served and perpetuated

through the Mari San-doz High Plains Heri-tage Center at Chadron

State College.

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HOTELS & MOTELS Address and Email Phone Rooms A menities Rate Range

Best Western West Hills Inn,1100 W. 10th St, 1/2 mi. S.

Jct US Hwys 20 & 385, Chadron.

www.bestwesternnebraska.com

308-635-3176 39Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, indoor pool, free

continental breakfast, pets allowed1-50

BunkHouseMotel,901E.3rdSt.,Chadron

www.bunkhousechadron.com308-436-2157 30 Pets allowed 1-75

Economy 9 Motel,1201 W. US Hwy 20, Chadron308-436-1950

866-436-195061 Wheelchair accessible, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 51-75

Grand Westerner Motel,1050 W. US Hwy 20, Chadron.

www.chadron.com308-432-5595 45 Restaurant on premises, pets allowed 1-50

Motel 6,755 Microtel Dr, S. US Hwy 385 & 8th St Exit,

Chadron.

308-432-3000

800-297-7410

43 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, pets allowed 5 1-75

Super 8 Motel, 840 W. US Hwy 20, Chadron.

www.chadron.com

308-432-4471

800-800-800045

Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast,

pets allowed51-75+

Westerner Motel,300 Oak St, W. US Hwy 20,

www.chadron.com/business/westerner

308-432-5577

800-947-084727 Restaurant on premises, pets allowed 1-50

UNIQUE LODGING Address and Email Phone Amenities Rate Range

Olde Main Street Inn,115 Main St., Chadron. www.

chadron.com/oldemain308-432-3380

Rustic country inn on National Register of Historic Places. Rooms with

private bath. Full contiental breakfast.1-75+

Rocking Heart Elk Ranch,1338 Table Rd., Chadron.

www.elkplanet.com3 08 -4 32 -4 31 4 2 -s to ry l og ca bi n. E lk t ou rs . Whe el cha ir ac ce ss ibl e, f ul l br ea kf as t 5 1- 75 +

Trunk Butte Ranch House, 5144 US Hwy 20, 8 mi. W. on

US Hwy 20, Chadron. www.trunkbutteranchhouse.com402-469-6289

Century-old ranch house. Rooms with private and shared bath. Full

breakfast and dutch oven suppers available.51-75+

Victorian Inn B&B, 307 Shelton St., Chadron.

www.chadronvictorianinn.com308-432-5696

Built in 1910. High-speed Internet, grand piano, central AC. Rooms with

shared bath. Full contiental breakfast.1-75

CAMPGROUNDS Address and Email Phone Open Amenities Fees

ChadronStatePark, 9mi.S. onUSHwy 385,Chadron.www.

outdoornebraska.ne.gov.308-432-6167 Year Round

RV Amenities:electricity, water, room for 70 trailers Rest Facilities:

Showers, flush and pit toilets, Camping: 18 tents. Cabin Rentals: 22.

$11-65NE Park

Permit

Eagles Rest RV Park,1/4 mi. W. on US Hwy 20, Chadron. 308-432-4349Elec. only

winter

RV Amenities:electricity, water, sewer, room for 48 trailers. Rest

Facilities:Showers, flush toilets, Camping:20 tents.$25

Red Cloud Campground, Nebraska National Forest,

8 mi. S. on US Hwy 385, Chadron. www.fs.fed.us/r2/

nebraska

308-432-0300 Year RoundRV Amenities:Room for 6 trailers.Rest Facilities:Pit toilets,

Camping: 7 tents.

$5

May-Nov

Roberts Trailhead Campground,Nebraska National

Forest, 18 mi. S. W., www.fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska308-432-0300 Year Round

RV Amenities:Water Rest Facilities:Pit toilets. Horse corrals

available.

$8 vehicle

May-Nov

GOLF COURSES Address and Email Phone Holes & Type Call for hours and tee times. Rate Range

Ridgeview Country Club,16611 US Hwy 385, Chadron. 308-432-4468 9 holes, semi-private Under $15


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6/1022 JOURNEY TO WESTERN NEBRASKA 2015 DAWES COUNTYPIN

CrawfordEast o Harrison, Highway 20 crosses

High Plains country beore the WhiteRiver Valley appears, revealing thePineRidge.

Located in the heart o Pine RidgeCountry, Craword bills itsel as the BigGame Capital o Nebraska.

Legend Buttes Golf Course wasnamed Nebraskas top nine-hole courseby Nebraska Golfermagazine.

History abounds at Craword. BaptisteGarnier, an Army scout known as Little

Bat, was killed on Main Street. Not araway, MJs Ranch House is said to behaunted. Crawords post office has oneo just a ew murals commissioned by thegovernment during the Great Depres-sion. Te Craword Historical Museumchronicles this history and more rom itscorner location at 341 SecondStreet.

Craword is home o Fort RobinsonState Park, three miles west o townon Highway 20. It began in 1874 as amilitary camp at the Red Cloud IndianAgency. Now, it is one o Nebraskas mostpopular tourist attractions and Nebras-kas largest statepark.

It was here that the great Lakota war-rior Crazy Horse surrendered in 1877.A stone marker shows where he was

mortally wounded. wo years later, theort was the site o a battle as part othe amous Cheyenne Outbreak. Led byChie Dull Knie, Northern Cheyennefled their Oklahoma reservation ortheir homeland, but were captured andimprisoned at Fort Robinson. One nightin January 1879, under fire rom cavalrytroops, 130 Northern Cheyenne escaped

into the rugged buttes. Sixty our Chey-enne and 11 soldiers died in thefighting.

Fort Rob was home to Buffalo Sol-diers, Arican-American troops in thesegregated army o the day. In the 20thcentury, the ort became t he worlds larg-

est military remount depot, and in World

War II was the site o a K-9 corps train-ing center and a German POW camp.In addition to original buildings,

some barracks have been reconstructed including the Cheyenne Outbreak bar-racks and Buffalo Soldier barracks. Visi-tors also can enjoy cookouts, trail rides,hiking, historic tours and museums, anda summer repertory theater at the Post

Playhouse. Lodging is available in offi-cers houses; camping is available at 100camping pads with electrical hookupsand 25 non-electrical sites. Group andequestrian camping areavailable.

Te ort is so large that though it drawsmany tourists, it never eels crowded. Itis open mid-April through mid-Novem-

ber. A state park entry p ermit is required.(308) 665-2900. For more inormationon Post Playhouse, call (308) 432-6317.

Te ort has two museums. Troughvaluable artiacts and inormative dis-plays, the Fort Robinson Museumtraces the orts history rom the IndianWars through the 1940s. (308) 665-2919. Te railside Museum o Natu-ral History explores the areas geologyand natural history. Among its exhibitsis Clash of the Mammoths,a pair obull mammoths who locked tusks morethan 10,000 years ago. Tey ell and diedtogether as a result. Teir massive skele-tons were unearthed north o Craword.An art gallery eatures American Indianand Western art. (308) 665-2929.

Te land now known as SoldierCreek Wildernesswas part o the mili-tary reservation. oday, the 7,794-acrearea has 15 miles o trails or hiking andhorseback riding. Te area is known orits buttes and wilderness areas. Swept byorest fire in 1989, it now offers a uniqueview o n atural rebirth. o find it, ol-low Soldier Creek Road at the entrance

to Fort Robinson State Park. PetersonState Wildlife Management Area isnearby, south o Highway20.

From Red Cloud Buttes,you can seeCraword to the east, Fort Robinson tothe south, and the site o the Red CloudAgency to the southeast. Hal a milenorthwest is the site o the Treaty Tree,where in 1875 the U.S. government triedunsuccessully to buy the Black Hillsrom the Lakota (Sioux) tribe. A markeralong Highway 20 identifies thearea.

Te areas best-known landmarkis Crow Butte, site o an 1849 battlebetween Sioux and Crow Indians. Forthe best view, travel two-and-a-hal milessouth o Craword, down highways 2 and71, then our miles east to PonderosaWildlife Management Area. As thename indicates, this is a prime wildlieviewing area. In the spring, summer andall, you can see songbirds and prairie al-cons in their native habitat. Deer, turkeyand golden eagle are visible year-round.

Highway 2 leads north to OglalaNational Grassland. Te landscapevaries rom hi gh p lains prairie to b ad-lands. Wildlie includes pronghorn, tur-key, mule deer and burrowing owls. Tegrassland is a popular area or hunters.

Te strangest landscape in the grass-

land is at Toadstool Geologic Park.Layers o sediment deposited by ancientvolcanoes have eroded at different rates,leaving toadstool-shaped ormations osandstone perched on brule clay stems.Visitors ofen compare the area to thesurace o the moon. Te park has aninterpretive hiking trail, picnic andcamping acilities and a reconstructedsod house. o find it, go five miles northrom Craword on Highway 2, then 10miles northwest on oadstoolRoad.

Oglala National Grassland holdsanother mystery. At first, people thoughtrancher Albert Meng had ound noth-ing more than sheep bones. But he andriend Bill Hudson wanted scientists totake a closer look. It turned out the bones

belonged to more than 600bison.Nearly 50 years later, Hudson-MengEducation and Research Centeris opento the public and is still being studied byresearchers. Te bones are nearly 10,000years old, and the bonebed is the largesto its age in the WesternHemisphere.

What killed the bison? Because o stonetools ound on site, many scientists believe

Experience Native American culture

through many events in Western Nebraska.

Near Crawford, historic Fort Robinson is oneof Nebraskas most popular tourist destinations.

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Fort Robinson State Park, 3 20 0 H ig hw ay 2 0, C ra wf or d 3 08 -6 65 -2 90 0 R es ta ur an t o n p re mi se s, i nd oo r p oo l, p et s a ll ow ed . 5 0- 24 5+

Hilltop Motel, 304 McPherson St, Hwy 2 & US Hwy 20,

Crawford

308-665-1144

800-504-144413 Pets allowed 51-75

Town Line Motel, 3591 US Hwy 20, Hwy 2 & US Hwy 20,

Crawford

308-665-1450

800-903-145024 Restaurant on premises, pets allowed. 1-75+


AuntMyrnas Cabin, 1 007 B ethel Rd, 5 mi . S. of US Hw y 20 ., 3 08 -6 65 -2 34 3 R oo ms w ith s ha re d b at h, fu ll co nti ne nta l b re ak fa st 5 1-7 5

Creekside B&B,303 Squaw Creek Rd, Crawford. www.

creeksidebedandbreakfast.com308-665-1289 Roomswithsharedbath,fullbreakfast,hottub,privatepatio,outdooractivities. 75+

DownHomeRanchGuestHouse,12733NEHwy2/71,

Crawford. www.downhomeranchhouse.co m 602-620-5755

Rooms with shared bath, 4-bedroom,2-bathranchhomenearcanyonsand

rollinghills.Sleeps10. 1-50

HighPlains Homestead,263SandcreekRd, 16mi.N.,

Crawford.www.highplainshomestead.com

308-665-2592

888-365-2592

Wheelchairaccessible,roomswithprivatebath,fullbreakfast,cow townmuseum,

lodging,horsecorrals,huntingandfossilcollecting.Openmid-Aprthrumid-Nov.51-75

Johnson Ranch,220 Lawrence Rd, Whitney, 5 mi. N. of

Crawford on Hwy 2, 2 mi. E. www.onelazyj.com308-665-3960

Roomswithprivatebath,continentalbreakfast.Horserentalandboarding,and

hunting.51-75

OurHeritage,1041ToadstoolRd,16mi.N.W.&7 mi.N.W.,

Crawford(2locations). www.vacation-ranch.com308-665-2810

Wheelchairaccessible,roomswithprivateandsharedbath,fullbreakfast.Sleeps

15. Ranchactivities,hiking&fossil hunting.1-75

PonderosaRanch,524SawLogRd,21/2mi.S.,2 mi.E.,31/2mi.

S.,Crawford,www.ponderosaranch.net308-665-3983

Wheelchairaccessible,roomswithprivatebath.A cozycabinonworkingcattle

ranch.Horsebackriding,workingranchvacations&hunting.51-75

SchoolhouseB&B,1312 W. Ash Creek Rd. 308-665-1814Rooms with private and shared bath, full breakfast. Acozycabinonworking

cattleranch.Horsebackriding,workingranchvacations&hunting.51-75

Southside Cottage,1107 Hospital Dr. 308-665-2309 Rooms with shared bath. Remodeled 2-bedroom cottage 75+

CAMPGROUNDS Address and Email Phone Open Amenities Fees

Crawford City Park,First & Main St.

www.crawfordnebraska.net308-665-1462 Year Round RV Amenities: Electricity, room for 2 trailers. Camping: 2 tents.

Fort Robinson State Park,3200 W. US Hwy 20.

www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov308-665-2900

RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer, room for 103 trailers,Cabin

rental:3412-21

100-cabin

Soldier Creek Wilderness Trailhead,6 mi. N.W. of FortRobinson State Park

308-432-0300 Year Round RV Amenities: Water 8/vehicle

SouthsideCottageandRVPark, 1105 Hospital Dr.

www.southsidecottage.com308-665-2309

Apr 1-

Oct 31

RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer. Cabin Rental: Furnished

2-bedroom cottage15-17

Toadstool Geologic Park,Nebraska National Forest, 19

mi. N., www.fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska308- 432-0300 R oom for 6 t ra il er s. $5 ca mp in g, $3 use fe e mi d- Ma y th ru m id -N ov .

NE Park

Permit


Legend Buttes Golf Course,3440 US Hwy 20 1/2 mi.

W. on US Hwy 20308-665-2431 9, public Under 15

Alan Bartels

DAWES COUNTYPIN

it was the work o Paleo-Indian hunters;others insist the bison died rom anothercause. Further excavation may revealmore answers or raise more questions.Te site is south o oadstool Park. Onoadstool Road, turn off on Sand CreekRoad and go six miles. Te site is openmid-May throughSeptember.

On the road to Hudson-Meng is theHigh Plains Homestead,a little rontiervillage. Te Drifer Cookshack eaturescowboy-sized meals and homemadepies. Modern lodging is available, and the

village also eatures a working blacksmithshop, antique store and the Dirty CreekSaloon. (308) 665-2592.

Te High Plains Homestead is one omany unique businesses o the Northwest

Crawford Events

Good times and good food abound at the High PlainsHomestead frontier village northwest of Crawford.

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HOTELS & MOTELS Address and Email Phone Rooms A menities

Sage Motel, 410 E. US Hwy 20, www.

visitnorthwestnebraska.com308-668-2441 13 Restaurant on premises, pets allowed

UNIQUE LODGING Address and Email Phone Amenities

Harrison House Hotel,115 Main St., www.

harrisonhousehotel.net.308-668-2166

A restored historic hotel located in scenic Sioux County. Rooms with sha

bath, free continental breakfast,

The Nest B&B Inn,13 mi. N.E. of Harrison on Hat Creek

Rd., www.restinthenest.com308-432-4227

Fully furnished ranch home accommodates up to 10 overnight guest

Rooms with shared bath.

CAMPGROUNDSAddress and Email Phone Open Amenities

Corral Campground, 410 E. US Hwy 20.,

www.visitnorthwestnebraska.com308-668-2441 Year Round RV Amenities:Electricity, water, sewer, room for 12 trailers.

SCOTTS BLUFF & SIOUX COUNTIES PIN

north o the church. Te site is part oOglala NationalGrassland.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monu-mentis one o the richest ossil sites onthe Plains and home to an importantcollection o Native American artiacts.Visitors can walk among quarries andthe ossils o ancient animals that onceroamed here, and can see the artiacts o31 Native American tribes with historicties to the region.

Rancher James H. Cook, who used

to own this land, made many riendsamong area tribes, who gave him gifsthat are now p art o the museums collec-tion. Among the items is a shirt belong-ing to the great Lakota chie Red Cloud.Lifemagazine named it one o the top 10treasures o the National Parks Service.

Agate also maintains an active NativeAmerican artist-in-residence program.Located 22 miles south o Harrison or 34miles north o Mitchell on Highway 29,its worth the trip. (308) 668-2211.

For more inormatiocontact the Harrison Cat (308) 668-2466.

Nebraska High Countrygroup promot-ing local bed-and-breakasts, cabins orrent, guest ranches, working cattle ranchvacations, horse motels, hunting andfishing, hiking and camping, and ossilhunting. All members are located in therural parts in and around the timberedPine Ridge. nebraskahighcountry.com.

Te states only railroad tunnel, the750-oot-long Belmont Tunnel,is carvedthrough solid rock and no longer used bytrains. Railroad enthusiasts watch enginespulling trains up the 10-mile-long Craw-ord-to-Belmont grade, one o the steep-est in the Midwest. Go nine miles south

o Craword on Highway 2 and look orthe Belmontsign.

For more inormation about Crawordand vicinity, contact the Craword Cham-ber o Commerce at (866) 665-1817.

WhitneyTe community o Dawes City ormed

in 1885. When the railroad arrived butstayed north o the White River, thetown o Earth Lodge ormed. Buildingswere moved to the new town, and it laterbecame Whitney. Old Fort Useless wasbuilt 9 miles rom town to protect resi-dents rom hostile natives but was neverused. Aunt Myrnas Cabin is a popular

bed and breakast 5 miles south o Whit-ney. (308) 665-2343.

HarrisonHarrison bills itsel as Nebraskas op

own. Other communities may arguethe point, but Harrison is inarguablyclosest to the states northwest corner.From here, the nearest town is Craword,27 miles east, so Harrison is a good stopor ood, uel and lodging.

On the east side o Main Street, theSioux County Historical Museumincludes a schoolhouse, post office, coun-try store, telephone office and home.Te main museum tells the story oSioux County rom settlement through

the 20th century. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day and during September byappointment (308) 668-2110.

For a scenic side-trip, head north romtown to Sowbelly Road, a byway thatloops through Sowbelly Canyon pastG.H. Coffee Park (a good picnic spot),to the north edge o the Pine Ridge,then

back up the breaks to the tablelands easto town on Pants Butte Road about 12miles through one o the most beautiulareas o thestate.

Gilbert-Baker State Wildlife Man-agement Areais five miles north o townon a paved country road. It offers hiking,primitive camping and fishing in sceniccanyon country.

In 1876, soon afer the Battle o the Lit-tle Bighorn, the 5th U.S. Cavalry oughta band o Cheyenne Indians at what isknown as Warbonnet Battlefield. Wil-liam Buffalo Bill Cody was there and

is said to have killed Cheyenne warriorYellow Hand during the fight. Te siteis open year-round. o find it, go threemiles east o Harrison on Highway 20,then 16 miles north on Pants Butte Roadto a sharp right curve, then our mileseast on Montrose Road to the MontroseChurch. Monuments to the soldiersand to Yellow Hand are on a conical hill

Boxing D ay OpDec. 26. Agate F

National Monumencelebration of this

day. (308) 66

Harrison E

The unique landscape of Toadstool park north of Crawford is described as a moonscape.

The Sioux County Historical Museum in Harrison preser ves a pio-

neer era country store, an early telephone office, a home, school-

house, former newspaper office and this post office.

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SHERIDAN COUNTYPIN28 JOURNEY TO WESTERN NEBRASKA 2015

the county road at the west edge o HaySprings. Sheridan Gates is the local nameor two large buttes through which earlysettlers and military soldiers passed.Wagon ruts are still visible. Te buttesstand west o BeaverWall.

For more inormation on Hay Springs,contact the Hay Springs Chamber oCommerce. (308) 638-7275.

Rushville

Te story o the aorementioned CampSheridan and the Spotted ail Agencycan be ound at the Sheridan CountyHistorical Museum,along with exhibitsshowing rontier lie.

Te museum is at the junction o High-way 20 and Nelson Avenue. In nearby HaySprings, two branch museums, HeritageCenterI and II,are in the 1884 Method-ist Church in the 200 block o Baker Street,and in the building at Second and Main.Te museums are open 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, Memorial Day-Labor Day, and byappointment. (308) 327-2374.

Smith Lake Wildlife ManagementArea has fishing, picnic areas and primi-tive camping. It is 27 miles south oRushville on Highway250.

For more inormatiocontact the Rushville Cmerce. (308) 327-2221.

GordonCowboy memorabilia rom the late

1800s through the present day is dis-played at the Tri-State Old Time Cow-boy Museumat the Gordon City Park atFourth and Oak streets.

Te museum is open 1-5 p.m. daily,June 1-Sept. 15, and by appointment.(308) 282-0887.

Te Scamahorn Museumis a restored1880s church and houses local history

exhibits and genealogical records. It is onwest Fifh Street in Wayland Park. It isopen 1-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Fri-day, and 7-9 p.m. uesday-Tursday romMemorial Day-Labor Day. (308) 282-1737 or (308) 327-2917.

Te Mari Sandoz Historical Markeris 30 miles south o G ordon on Highway27. Follow the signs rom there east toMaris Grave on the Sandoz homesteadand see the still -producing ruit orchardsplanted by JulesSandoz.

For more inormation about Gordon,contact the Gordon ourist InormationCenter. (308) 282-0730.

Hay SpringsLocals say a Loch Ness-style monster

lives in the waters o Walgren Lake. Wecant confirm that, but we do know thatWalgren Lake State Recreation Areahas camping, fishing and picnic areas.o find the lake, start at the junction ohighways 87 and 20. Go south 1.8 mileson Highway 87, then turn east or threemiles, then go south one m ile. o find themonster ... well, youre on yourown.

Wildlie abounds in the pine orest oMetcalf Wildlife Management Area.Te area is closed to motorized vehicles,but hiking is allowed, as is camping atprimitive sites. o find it, take Highway20 to the east edge o Hay Springs andollow the county road seven milesnorth.

wo local landmarks have historicalsignificance. Te Beaver Wall escarp-ment is in the middle o the Spotted ailAgency and old Camp Sheridan. Spottedail was a amous Lakota (Sioux) leaderand a contemporary o Crazy Horse.From the top o Beaver Wall, you can seethe buttes o Craword 50 miles to thesouthwest and the outline o the BlackHills 75 miles to the northwest. o findit, go 10 miles north o Highway 20 on

Western Art Show & Sale GoAlways the second Friday and Saturday

ber. See the works of local artisans, incluings and bronze sculptures, at this anninside Hinns Home Furnishings in Gord

282-1609.

Friendl y Festiva l Hay SprinAlways the last weekend of August. Hayknown far and wide as a friendly town.

prove it each year with this friendly evincludes an ice cream social, golf tourna

swimming, parade, lawn mower races aFriendly food vendors will sell Indian ta

and hamburgers, and the local VFW wlarge menu of meals. Friends you haven

you to join the friendly scene here in Ha(308) 638-7132.

Rushville Rancher Roundup RuLate October. Main Street in Rushville b

stage for bulls, heifers, steers and horseers display their best. There will also be

pie, a salsa contest and more. (308) 3

Sheridan County Ev

The early history of Sheridan County is presHay Springs at the Sheridan County Museu

The Old West Trail Rodeo began in Crawford in the 1940s as a hospital fundraiser.

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Hacienda Motel, 605 W. US Hwy 20, Gordon 308-282-1400 23 Outdoor Pool, 1-50

Jefco Inn,3 08 S. Co rn el l, W. US Hw y 2 0, Go rd on 3 08 -2 82 -2 93 5 2 2 W he el ch ai r a cc es si bl e, fr ee co nt en ti al br ea kf as t, pe ts al lo we d 1 -7 5+

Western Sands Motel,107 W. US Hwy 20, Gordon 308-282-1795 20 Wheelchair accessible, pets allowed 1-75

Antlers Motel, 607 E. 2nd, Rushville 308-327-2444 20 Free continental breakfast, pets allowed 1-75

Nebraskaland Motel,508 E. 2nd St, Rushville 308-327-2487 15 Pets allowed 1-75


Horse Thief Cave Ranch,1711 550th Trail Rd, 15 mi. S.E.,

Gordon. www.horsethiefcave.com308-282-1017 Rooms with shared bath, continental breakfast. 1-75

Flying Heart Ranch LLC, 6473 440th Ln., Hay Springs.

www.flyingheartranch.com308-638-7426

Rooms with shared bath. 3-bedroom, 2-bath cabin. Solitude, wildlife,

hiking/biking trails.75+

HaySpringsRentals,213,221&230 N.PostSt&339N.

ChambersSt., HaySprings, www.hayspringsrentals.com308-638-4466

Rooms with private and shared bath. 3-bed-roomhouseswith kitchensand

livingrooms.

CAMPGROUNDSAddress and Email Phone Open Amenities Fees

HamiltonPark, E.USHwy20.6trailers.www.ci.gordon.ne.us. 308-282-0837 Apr-Oct Room for 6 trailers.

Tomahawk Park, 200 W. US Hwy 20. 15 trailers. Call for

rates. www.ci.gordon.ne.us.3 08 -2 82 -0 32 9 A pr -O ct RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer, room for 15 trailers.

Call forrates

Sunset RV Park,11 0 S . Po st S t, H ay Sp ri ngs 3 08 -6 38 -7 27 5 Ye ar R ou ndRV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer, room for 9 trailers. Camping:

9 tents7-20

WalgrenLakeSRA, 4mi.E.onUSHwy20,3mi.S.,Hay

Springs308-665-2900 Year Round

RV Amenities: Water, room for 50 trailers. Camping: 50, Rest

facilities:Pit toliets

6 & NEPark

Permit

Rushville Service Center,W. U S H wy 2 0. , Ru sh vi ll e 3 08 -3 27 -2 37 5 Ye ar Ro un dRV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer, room for 6 trailers. Camping:

5 tents10


Gordon Golf and Country Club, 6535 210th Ln - 2nd &

Willow Sts, Gordon308-282-1146 9, semi-private Under 15

Sand Ridge, 3rd St & Golf Course Ln, Rushville 308-327-2966 9, public 15-30

WESTERN NEBRASKA is blessedwith some of the great trails inAmerican history, but only oneof these routes takes you backmillions of years. The roadblocksin these time travels are saber-toothed cats, king-sized cousinsof the rhino, three-toed ancient

horses and prehistoric hog-likecreatures bigger thanbuffalo.This paleontology path wel-

comes visitors from across theglobe. Join us for the fascinating

journey along the FossilFreeway.The trail to the past begins in

South Dakota with perhaps NorthAmericas most fascinating Ice Agetreasures at the Mammoth Siteof Hot Springs.Visitors will be treatedto a tour of the worlds largest mam-moth research facility and experiencean active paleontological dig site. (605)745-6017.

At Toadstool Geologic Park youllfind fascinating fossils that seem to befrom another planet. The extinct ani-mals discovered include the oreodonts,which were sheep-like creatures withfierce canine choppers. Theres also thebrontotheres, built like an 8-foot-tallrhino. (308) 432-0300.

As you head another three milesdown the Sioux County trail, OglalaNational Grassland looms, with theHudson-Meng Education and ResearchCenter. Here 600 bison were slaugh-tered 10,000 years ago by efficientpaleohunters. These stealthy stalkerswere responsible for the worlds largestAlberta bison kill. (308) 665-3900.

About 25 miles south at Fort Robin-son State Park, the Trailside Museumof Natural History displays fantas-tic findings from fossil hunts that firstbegan in this Pine Ridge area in 1891.

The museums exhibits includes theskull of a 40-foot-long sea lizard, calledthe mosasaur, as well as a bone fromthe famed three-horned dinosaur, thetriceratops. One of the red-hot attrac-tions is the Ice Age showdown, Clashof the Mammoths.(308) 665-2929.

To the west, near Harrison, AgateFossil Beds National Monumentawakens long-gone creatures like amini-rhino called the menoceras, thebuffalo-sized hog-like creature called

the dinohyus, andmoropus seeminglGreek gods as partsloth. (308) 668-221

The journey soutbrings travelers ongreat landmarks at National Monume

home to many fasccoveries and odd ptures dating back m(308) 436-9700.

South of Geringter near the WildcCenter features asaber-toothed catsbattle 25 million ye

That prehistoric covered in Western Nand the center also dispreserved fossilized s(308) 436-3777.

Fossil Freeway offers fascinating

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2015 Pine Ridge