ATTRACTIONS

In 1996, six of the best-attended attractions in Nebraska were Fort Robinson State Park, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Museum, Carhenge, Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, and Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park.

In the Pine Region, Fort Robinson is best remembered as the place where Chief Crazy Horse surrendered after the Battle of the Little Bighorn.  Today, with some 50 original structures still standing, this important landmark is part of a 22,000-acre state park.  Frontier artifacts are displayed in the former post headquarters.

In the mid-1800s, when covered wagons rolled west, more than 250,000 people passed Scotts Bluff, near Gering.  The 800-foot bluff strikes a dramatic pose against the prairie.  One can view special exhibits about the Oregon Trail at the museum, and  even drive to the top of the bluff!

The beautiful Arbor Lodge, in Nebraska City, is the home of J. Sterling Morton, who founded Arbor Day.  The site is an arboretum with more than 250 species of trees and shrubs.

Located near the town of Alliance is Carhenge, an unusual sculpture made out of automobiles.  It is modeled after England's great Stonehenge.

The Stuhr Museum's attraction is Railroad Town, a town re-created in accordance with the plans of a rail company.  Nearby is a fabulous collection of antique cars and farm machinery.

William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody embodied the traditional rags-to-riches success story.  After working as a Pony Express rider and serving in the Civil War, Cody became a buffalo hunter for railroad construction crews.  He quickly earned a reputation as a fine shot.  Before long, Cody started a theater act and began developing a ranch in North Platte.  Here, in 1882, Cody organized a rodeo event that evolved into his Wild West Show.  The sharpshooter was the star of this extravaganza for 30 years.  Today, visitors to the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park can marvel at his treasures.

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