When I stopped to get gas in Big Springs (population 394), Nebraska, I noticed several strange looking animals around the building.
In a park just up the street from the gas station there was a historic marker that told about the first and greatest robbery of a Union Pacific train that happened here on the night of September 18, 1877. The legendary Sam Bass and five gang members subdued the station master, destroyed the telegraph lines, and stopped the Union Pacific Express Train No. 4. The train was carrying $60,000 in new $20 gold pieces and about another thousand dollars and several gold watches were taken from the passengers. The robbers split the loot and then went in different directions. Two of men were tracked down and killed at Buffalo, Kansas, another was killed in Mexico, Missouri, and Sam Bass was killed at Round Rock, Texas. The other two robbers were never found.
The historic Phelps Hotel in Big Springs was built in 1885 and was known as the "House of Three Chimneys." During its heyday the hotel served as a church, community activity center, and a haven for landseekers, travelers, and pioneers.
Ogallala (population 4,878) was the northern terminus of the Texas Trail and large numbers of Texas Longhorn cattle were shipped back East from this location. By 1880 over 100,000 cattle per year passed through Ogallala and the town became known as the "Cowboy Capital of Nebraska."
Ogallala had a reputation as a booming rough and wild cowtown, which attracted gamblers, drifters and women of questionable character. Although record keeping was reported to be haphazard, there were 17 recorded violent deaths. High, for a town with only 100 permanent residents.
One day in July of 1879, the sheriff's guns gave three men a one-way ticket to Boot Hill (and the sheriff was not even charged with police brutality). Reasons for burials at Boot Hill were things like stealing a horse, robbery, cheating at cards, offending a woman, gunfight, name calling, re-fighting the Civil War, natural causes, and others. Because most cowboys were buried with their boots on, the cemetery was named "Boot Hill."
Mansion of the Hill Museum is located just a short distance east of Boot Hill Cemetery. When the Victorian style mansion was completed in 1887, it was Ogallala's finest residence. The mansion has many unique features, including 10-foot ceilings, sixteen inch thick solid brick walls, walnut shuttered windows, solid brass hardware throughout, two hand carved cherry wood fireplaces, and many other unique features. Also located on the grounds is a one-room schoolhouse that was built in 1902 and an early 1900s homestead era dwelling. All of the buildings were closed when I stopped by the site.
Located in downtown Ogallala is a restored 1922 full-service gas station with a friendly attendant that is ready to fill your car's tank with premium gasoline. The gas station also serves as the town's visitor center.
I knew that a town with a name like "Ogallala" must be harboring space aliens somewhere, and I found them hiding in the municipal water tower. One of the aliens was peering out of a porthole when I drove by, so I waived to him. He must not have been friendly because he did not wave back. I was told that at night the tower is illuminated with UFO landing lights.
The Kenfield Petrified Wood Gallery originally was known for art pieces made from petrified wood, but the gallery has been expanded and now contains all types of art works. There is also a large collection of Indian arrowheads and busts of famous Indian Chiefs. Unfortunately, my camera quit working and only a few pictures taken in the gallery were saved.
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| "Rest and be Thankful" |
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| Chief Red Cloud |
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| Chief Sitting Bull |
Front Street is diagonally across the street from the Petrified Wood Gallery and is a popular tourist stop during the summer months. There are gunfights in the street, dancehall girls in the Crystal Palace Saloon, a General Store, and great food at the Livery Barn Café. The Livery Barn Café has a reputation for serving the best Chicken Fried Steak in Nebraska. Unfortunately, the Café was closed when I stopped to verify their reputation.
As I was driving around town, I saw a unique use for dead trees. Rather than go through all of the work of digging out the roots, just find a artist that is handy with a chainsaw and make wood statues.
They even grow small apples and green string beans on trees.
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