Cowboy Capital # 5
Posted by: 
Biker Ozzy
N 41° 07.980 W 101° 43.278
14T E 271583 N 4557091
Marker by Mansion on the Hill Museum
Waymark Code: WM4FF7
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 08/17/2008
Views: 26
Marker reads as follows
COWBOY CAPITAL
Named for the Oglala band of Dakota Sioux and located on the Union Pacific Railroad, Ogallala was a lusty cowtown of the Old West. From 1875 to 1885 it was a wild woolly cowboy capital where gold flowed across the gaming tables, liquor across the bar, and often blood across the floor.
As farmers settled eastern Oklahoma and Kansas, they destroyed the famous Chisholm Trail, forcing the herds westward, and the Western or Texas Trail through Dodge City to Ogallala was established. From Ogallala, Texas cattle were shipped East or sold to ranchers from Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming, Dakota, and Colorado. Indian agencies and mining camps provided an early market for Ogallala beef.
Ogallala, the cowtown, was a lively and colorful segment of the American West and the chief gateway to the newly opened ranges of the northern plains. By 1884 the trail driving days were virtually ended and the Old West and Ogallala turned to other ways of life. Cattle remain an important factor in the area along with farming, hydro-electric power and industry.
Ogallala Chamber of Commerce
Historic Land Mark Council
Corner of N Spruce and 10th Streets, Ogallala
Keith County
Marker 5
Marker Name: Cowboy Capital # 5
City: yes
Roadside: no
Other: no
Web Address if available:: Not listed
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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!