Nebraska

The Platte River was a critical part of the Oregon Trail in terms of navigation and fairly flat land to cross, it more importantly acted as a water supply. However, at several points on the Oregon Trail along the Platte River, the emigrants would have to cross the Platte River. Although the Platte was described as “a mile wide and an inch deep”, that wasn’t always the case as seen in the Pedaling Pioneer’s video.

The Pedaling Pioneer and his partner mean business! Rain or shine, just like the pioneers, they continue to journey West.

Gordon Howard is a farmer that lives in the shadow of Chimney Rock. Here are some of his stories……

A local farmer, Gordon Howard takes me up to Chimney Rock, and tells me stories of the Oregon Trail along the way!

Thank you for the “tour” Gordon and Pat.

The Oregon Trail Emigrants came down Windlass Hill and into Ash Hollow. Ash Hollow would have offered fresh water from the spring, wood, and a place to camp near the Platte River.  Near Ash Hollow, there was a large battle between Indians and the U.S. Cavalry.

Unfortunately, the visitors center was closed both times that I tried to visit! I was able to walk through, and read the headstones in Ash Hollow Cemetery.

“We encamped early and several of the company went to it and I was one….. We didn’t supposed it to be more than one or two miles from the road. We went on foot, but as we found it to be at least four miles our was not as easy as we supposed. But like all the rest, we must see the Elephant and some of the party did see his back before they go to camp as some of them was out ’till 9 o’clock” John Lewis, 1852

“Twenty miles up you will see a Court House rock resembling a Missouri court house so much as to deceive many on their first trip”. Louis Dougherty, 1850