Road Ranches Along the Platte - Nebraska Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

Before Interstate rest areas, motels, fast food and Walmart there were Road Ranches to serve the traveler.

The text of this marker reads:
ROAD RANCHES ALONG THE PLATTE
With the discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountains in the late 1850's, overland freighting and travel intensified. Every few miles westward along the trails, enterprising individuals established road ranches which offered lodgings and provisions to travelers. A variety of goods was available: the Cheese Creek Ranche in eastern Nebraska was named for its main product; the Freeman Ranche at Plum Creek was noted for fresh bread and milk. Some ranches, like McDonald's at Cottonwood Springs, presented such delicacies as fresh pineapple and imported French wines. Many ranches, however, were scorned because of their poor service and unsanitary conditions. Even when located within walking distance of neighbors, ranche personnel felt isolated and endangered. Many ranches were burned during the Indian trouble of the mid-1860's, and some ranchers and their families were killed or taken prisoner. Ranchers who were not discouraged by the hazardous trail life often became prominent in Nebraska's history. James Boyd, once a road rancher, became governor of the state. When the Union Pacific Railroad built through the area in 1866 and 1867, overland freighting and stage travel ended, hastening the disappearance of the colorful road ranches.

The marker, #194 was placed by the Department of Roads and the
Nebraska State Historical Society

Marker Name: Road Ranches Along the Platte Roadside: yes Web Address if available:: [Web Link] City: Not Listed Other: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
Post Pictures:
1. Close up of historical marker
2. Picture of surrounding area (would prefer to have the marker in the picture also). Thanks!

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   12/31/2023 Desafio visited it 05/26/2007 Biker Ozzy visited it

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