Traveling Through Nebraska: Oregon Trail National Site in Present Day
Located near Chimney Rock, in western Nebraska, United States, the Chimney Rock National Historic Site, part of the larger Oregon Trail National Historic Trail, has been a significant stopping point for travelers along the historic Oregon Trail. The iconic rock formation, resembling a chimney, rises 470 feet above the North Platte River valley and 300 feet above the surrounding landscape. This stop on the Oregon Trail played a significant role as a recognizable landmark, especially during the California Gold Rush era and westward expansion.
The Oregon National Historic Trail spans approximately 2,170 miles from its starting point near Independence, Missouri, to its endpoint in Oregon City, Oregon, covering lands across six states including Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Established in 1978, this National Historic Trail allows travelers to drive the route or explore land preserves such as Chimney Rock. Chimney Rock was designated a National Historic Site in 1956.
Much of the original Oregon Trail through Nebraska follows present-day United States Highway 30 and Nebraska State Highway 92, with many remaining visible wagon wheel ruts preserved along the original routes. These historical landmarks give further insight into the perils faced by early pioneers along this travel route.
On February 19, 1966, the National Trails System Act designated the Chimney Rock trail, a section of the larger Oregon Trial National Historic Trail. Today, the visitor center and gift shop welcome travelers to this national site. The distinctive rock formation at Chimney Rock played a supportive role in allowing settlers to stay oriented and traverse the landscape over an extended period.
More than 300,000 United States emigrants followed this historic route. While in Nebraska, they primarily traveled along both river banks as necessary. More specifically, the North Platte, South Platte and Platte River all provide convenient passageways, allowing pioneers easier travel in and out of the state.
Among all those settlers the land is most closely associated with the name Bayard Taylor who wrote vivid descriptions of it. Taylor's writing also influenced future travelers by spreading word of this unique rocky formation.
Trail followers from past generations made very limited pictographs of the formation. However, it does show past land use by the original inhabitants. The geologically isolated formation provided clear passage from Independence Rock traveling across local flat bottomland as was utilized during more difficult aspects of various other related passes.
Within present-day Nebraska, western, and central lands, those previous path types can be directly compared to even more locations and the areas modern paved roads which could traverse those many deep passes.
The Oregon National Historic Trail spans approximately 2,170 miles from its starting point near Independence, Missouri, to its endpoint in Oregon City, Oregon, covering lands across six states including Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Established in 1978, this National Historic Trail allows travelers to drive the route or explore land preserves such as Chimney Rock. Chimney Rock was designated a National Historic Site in 1956.
Much of the original Oregon Trail through Nebraska follows present-day United States Highway 30 and Nebraska State Highway 92, with many remaining visible wagon wheel ruts preserved along the original routes. These historical landmarks give further insight into the perils faced by early pioneers along this travel route.
On February 19, 1966, the National Trails System Act designated the Chimney Rock trail, a section of the larger Oregon Trial National Historic Trail. Today, the visitor center and gift shop welcome travelers to this national site. The distinctive rock formation at Chimney Rock played a supportive role in allowing settlers to stay oriented and traverse the landscape over an extended period.
More than 300,000 United States emigrants followed this historic route. While in Nebraska, they primarily traveled along both river banks as necessary. More specifically, the North Platte, South Platte and Platte River all provide convenient passageways, allowing pioneers easier travel in and out of the state.
Among all those settlers the land is most closely associated with the name Bayard Taylor who wrote vivid descriptions of it. Taylor's writing also influenced future travelers by spreading word of this unique rocky formation.
Trail followers from past generations made very limited pictographs of the formation. However, it does show past land use by the original inhabitants. The geologically isolated formation provided clear passage from Independence Rock traveling across local flat bottomland as was utilized during more difficult aspects of various other related passes.
Within present-day Nebraska, western, and central lands, those previous path types can be directly compared to even more locations and the areas modern paved roads which could traverse those many deep passes.
