Freighter's Memorial, Nebraska City - Nebraska Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

The overland freighting company of Russell, Majors and Waddell, headquartered in Levenworth, Kansas, was a major force in the commerce of the 1850s and 1860s, before the transcontinental railroads. In 1860 they established the Pony Express, a venture which almost ruined the company financially.

In 1858 the company received a government contract to transport all provisions for all western forts from a base in Nebraska City. The supplies were brought up the Missouri River by steamboat and then taken out by wagon train. This monument stands by the 1858 house at 407 N.14th Street which was the Nebraska City office for Russell, Majors and Waddell. It is now The Old Freighter's Museum.

The marker is a worn bronze plate set in a rough granite slab.

The text reads:
To Commemorate Russell, Majors and Waddell
1856-1865
Freighters to the west
Employing over 1000 men, 6000 oxen and 700 wagons
Founders of the Pony Express 1860

The museum is by appointment. Check the website link below for information.

Marker Name: Freighter's Memorial, Nebraska City City: yes Roadside: yes Web Address if available:: [Web Link] 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   06/13/2010 Team 57 visited it 08/18/2007 k-n-k family visited it 06/03/2007 plainsdrifter358 visited it

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