Bucket List
History buffs will love exploring Northwest Nebraska’s Heritage Tour Bucket List. A premier spot on the list, the Museum of the Fur Trade, tells the story of one of America’s earliest business enterprises, while the State History Center at Fort Robinson State Park brings the region’s military and Native American history to life. Drill down deeper into local history at the Dawes County Historical Museum, Sioux County Historical Museum and Crawford Historical Museum, all of which capture the essence of early pioneer life in Northwest Nebraska. And, as if that isn’t enough, examine historical architecture in Chadron’s Downtown and immerse yourself in the life and times of author Mari Sandoz at the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center.
A world-renowned museum, the MFT houses artifacts and exhibits from early colonial days to the present century highlighting one of America’s first business enterprises – fur trading. Numerous rifles, Native American beadwork and clothing, camp utensils, trade goods and more tell the story in this museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
308-432-3843
The History Center at Fort Robinson State Park is housed in the 1905 Post Headquarters and highlights 75 years of military history at the Fort and explains the post’s role in guarding the Red Cloud Agency, housing WWII POWs and its use in training K-9 dogs and U.S. Cavalry horses. Famed Lakota Chief Crazy Horse was killed here, and it is also the site of the Cheyenne Breakout of 1879. In addition to the History Center, History Nebraska also takes care of other historical buildings at the state park, including a blacksmith shop and the Cheyenne Breakout barracks and guardhouse. Those buildings are open during the season and historical programming is coordinated by the History Center.
308-665-2919
Located on the Chadron State College campus, the center is dedicated to the life and literature of native author Mari Sandoz, who published short stories and books about the Cheyenne, Sioux, homesteading and the importance of the West. In addition to the permanent exhibit on Sandoz, the center regularly features a rotating exhibit gallery and is home to the C.F. Coffee Gallery, dedicated to the cattle industry, on the lower level, houses the Graves Photography Collection and hosts educational and entertainment programming in the Chicoine gallery. Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (closed over the noon hour).
308-432-6401
The city’s downtown business district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Established in 1885, Chadron’s downtown has 40 sites that display architectural features from the city’s early days.
The city is called the “Magical City” because settlers moved their homes and businesses to the present-day location overnight, appearing as if by magic, from the initial settlement five miles farther west. The city relocated with the arrival of the railroad and the selection of the current location as its site for the depot.
For a self-guided walking tour, use the map here.
From a newspaper office post office and schoolhouse to an historic telephone office, this local museum on Main Street in Harrison offers a variety of exhibits in six buildings that showcase pioneer life.
308-668-2110
This local museum houses an impressive collection of pioneer antiques, including blacksmith tools, farm machinery, vintage quilts and antique toys. Explore a log house, barn, and 1890s schoolhouse, a pioneer church and the C&NW caboose. 308-432-4999
This local museum’s exhibits reflect the early people, economy and social interests of Crawford, which was originally established as a railroad town.
The museum was mostly destroyed in a flood in the 1990s, but rebuilt with support and donations from the community.
Northwest Nebraska has dozens of State Historical Markers that tell the story of the region’s settlement. View the list and their locations here.
If you want to add more authenticity to your Heritage Tour Bucket List, consider staying in one of three historical lodging establishments.
Harrison House Hotel is a historic 1886 railroad property on Main Street in Harrison.
High Plains Homestead is an authentic 1880s village providing glamping and group lodging opportunities, and also allows RVs and tents. It is located northwest of Crawford.
The Olde Main Street Inn is an original 1890s property on Main Street in Chadron. A railroad YMCA at one time, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and General Nelson Miles stayed here while investigating the Wounded Knee Massacre.
