Nebraska Historical Marker: Nebraska City - Fort Kearney Cutoff

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Location

13909 SW 100th St, Crete, Lancaster County, Nebraska

View this marker's location 40.693664, -96.85461

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Marker Text

Thousands of oxen-drawn wagons passed here from 1860 to1867, before completion of the Union Pacific Railroad across Nebraska. Carrying military and mining supplies, and emigrants moving west, they cut deep ruts across the tallgrass prairie and at Spring Creek fording sites. The cutoff was the shortest route from the Missouri River to Fort Kearny, where several overland trails merged, and one of Nebraska's most important historic roads. The still-visible ruts are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Marker program

See the Nebraska Historical Marker Program for more information.