do we care if the dems cave on the #shutdown?
yes, actually. I think they should have held out until the gop removed the #filibuster at trumpets insistence.
temporary inconvenience, permanent improvement.
i saw that on #I80 about 30 years ago. I80 has never been without construction over the last 30 years, but I still concur.
roads are different from senate rules. this particular improvement will have PERMANENT repercussions.
hoist trump on his own picard.
Front Street Cowboy Museum: Ogallala, Nebraska
The Front Street Cowboy Museum is all about the wild, wild west and driving Texas Longhorn cattle. Located in Ogallala, Nebraska, this visitor attraction brings the town’s rich Old West history to life.
Front Street in Ogallala, Nebraska. Photo by Linda Aksomitis.Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits
Like most people, I enjoy a good story. And there are no better stories than the myths of supernatural creatures. In Nebraska, that creature is the Sandhills Warrior Rabbit. The museum even has one in its collection!
Nebraska Sandhills Warrior Rabbit – the image is from a rabbit taxidermy photo taken in the museum and a software generated background. Image by Linda Aksomitis.The warrior rabbit draws on the the American traditional tale of the Jackalope. These Jackalope tales originate from hybrid animal stories around the world.
Where did the Jackalope tale originate?One of the earliest stories of a horned rabbit is from 13th-century Persia. The jackalope legend stems from a rare virus called Shope papilloma virus that infects rabbits and causes horn-like keratin tumors to grow. It’s believed that these tumors inspired folklore about horned or “warrior” rabbits.
Scientific research shows that rabbits with these horn-like growths are real but rare. They’re not a distinct species.
But back to the midwest. In 1932 two brothers in Douglas, Wyoming, studied taxidermy by mail order. One day, one of them tossed a rabbit carcass they planned to work on into their taxidermy collection where it came to rest beside a pair of deer antlers. That gave young Douglas Herrick an idea.
Doug and his brother mounted the rabbit with horns and sold it to a local hotel owner. From there, the story grew and grew and grew with the brothers’ taxidermy sales. Other taxidermists manufactured the rabbits right into the 21st century.
The jackalope has appeared in books, poems, television shows video games and mokumentaries.
Today, tourists can even buy a Jackalope Hunting License in Douglas.
So, the Nebraska Sandhills Warrior Rabbit is one of a group of tall tale animals. This type of tall tale is known as “fearsome critters” and is common to North American culture since the early 1900s.
Indeed, the warrior rabbit has supernatural powers making it a fierce, resilient animal able to survive in the Sandhills.
If you enjoy fearsome critter tales, The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in Hayward, Wisconsin, is home to another fearsome critter — the hodag.
What’s in the Front Street Cowboy Museum?
Front Street in Ogallala, Nebraska, is a replica town of the 1880s old west cowboy town. At the time, Ogallala was a major cattle-driving and cattle-shipping hub.
How did Ogallala become a cattle-shipping hub?Early in U.S. history, the Chisholm Trail was the trail of choice for driving cattle to the northern states looking for higher prices. The Chisholm Trail ran from the Rio Grande or San Antonio to the railhead of the Kansas Pacific Railway in Abilene. From there, the cattle were shipped to the more populated states in the East.
However, the Chisholm Trail was cut off when farmers began settling and fencing eastern Oklahoma and Kansas. The new Texas Trail (also called Western Trail) grew up from Dodge City to the Union Pacific railhead in Ogallala.
While Dodge City was the end of the trail for some outfits, others with younger stock pushed north to Ogallala. These were sold to ranchers in the area to fatten over the summer and ship out in the fall.
Ogallala became a seasonal gathering place. Saloons were hopping in the spring with Texas cattle bosses selling cattle to local cattlemen. In the fall, action stepped up again as the ranchers brought their steers off the grass to ship east.
As many as 125,000 head of cattle were brought to Ogallala each year.
Ogallala’s heyday as a cow town ended in 1884, when an epidemic of Texas fever caused heavy losses of cattle in Nebraska. States began to enact quarantine laws to protect their livestock. While a few cattle still trickled into Ogallala, the town soon settled into a farming community.
These connected building fronts are filled with memorabilia and cowboy artifacts from the era. Building fronts include:
Front Street is listed on Wikipedia as being on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Keith County, Nebraska.
Some Front Street Displays
Front Street is all about the stories of cowboys, cattle drives, and outlaws. There are lots of different artifacts and photos to bring the stories to life.
Fast Fact: A Black Cowboy Memorial located at Grand Island, Nebraska, honors Amos Harris who died in February, 1911. Thousands of black cowboys rode the rails, driving millions of cattle north. Many of them were the best riders, ropers and wranglers.
~ Front Street Cowboy Museum
Here are some displays I particularly enjoyed.
You can also relive the Old West watching the Front Street Crystal Palace Revue. With 60+ seasons, it’s the longest-running summer stock theatre in Nebraska.
Linda’s Road Trip Tips
Ogallala is a great destination for those who love the old west. Geographically, it’s also in a fascinating area. Indeed, Nebraska’s sandhill dunes cover about 20,000 square miles and are believed to be the largest dune field in the Western hemisphere. They were formed about 8,000 years ago and designated a National Natural Landmark in 1984.
Boot Hill. Pin me!Be sure to visit Boot Hill while you’re in Ogallala. It was established during the Texas Trail era of the late 1800s.
Some buried there met their end in saloons and gambling halls.
Rattlesnake Ed, who was shot over a card game at the Cowboys Rest Saloon, was one of them.
In direct contrast, you can also visit Mansion on the Hill. This Victorian style home was completed in 1887 — Ogallala’s finest home at the time. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and worth the visit.
Also, I recommend a stop at the Petrified Wood Gallery while you’re in Ogallala. The gallery includes a collection of fossils and hand-crafted petrified wood figures made by Harvey and Howard Kenfieldin. I also found the 92 pewter figures of Native Americans, cowboys, and cavalry soldiers impressive.
Who Should Visit Front Street Cowboy Museum?
Front Street Cowboy Museum is a great stop for anyone interested in the wild and rugged days of the old west and cattle drives.
Indeed, the town was integral to the Lonesome Dove tv miniseries.
It takes a couple of hours to go through the exhibits, although you can spend more time stopping for a meal or drink.
The museum is family-friendly. It also has ramps and flat walkways in the replica 1880s street to aid those using strollers or who have mobility issues.
Stagecoach. Pin me!How Do You Visit Front Street Cowboy Museum?
Front Street Cowboy Museum is located at the intersection of Interstate 80 (I-80), US-26, and Nebraska Highway N-61.
Parking: Free parking is adjacent to the museum.
Location: 519 East 1st St Ogallala, Nebraska.
The museum has free / donations only admission and is open year-round. Check for hours on the Front Street Cowboy Museum website.
Take a virtual tour of the museum with Backroads Tourist on YouTube.
Plan your visit with Google Maps.
Acknowledgments
These stops were all part of a Fam tour hosted by the Gering Convention and Visitors Bureau, Scotts Bluff Area Visitors Bureau, and Nebraska Tourism Commission.
More Places to See in Nebraska
Check out all of guide2museum.com’s reviews of museums in Nebraska.
Read More Reviews of Heritage Museums
Discover the Mormon Handcart Historic Site & Devil’s Gate in Wyoming
See 100 Miles Across Nebraska From Scotts Bluff National Monument
Standout Ranching History at the MonDak Heritage Center: Sidney, Montana
Myra Museum: Lustron House & More in Grand Forks, North Dakota
Fort Cody Trading Post: Miniature Wild West Show in North Platte, Nebraska
Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village & Museum: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Museum of Northern British Columbia: Indigenous Art & History in Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Vermilionville: Living History Open Air Village in Lafayette, Louisiana
Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience: New Orleans, Louisiana
Bonanzaville: Open Air Pioneer Village Museum in Fargo, North Dakota
"🎤 Abandoned Mines: The Underground Stars of Traffic Jams! 🚧 Welcome to a gripping saga of #sinkholes on #I80, where nature's comedic timing leaves commuters in a never-ending quest for alternate routes. Watch as the DOT performs its greatest vanishing act yet, with no magic wand in sight! 🕳️✨"
https://practical.engineering/blog/2025/5/6/when-abandoned-mines-collapse #AbandonedMines #TrafficJams #ComedicTiming #DOTVanishingAct #HackerNews #ngated
Light tunneling and squiggles.
#PhotoHour #abstract #AbstractPhotography #improvisation #night #nightphotography #street #interstate #I80 #icm #ics #photography #AltText
HJC i80, RPHA60 und F100 – Drei neue Helme auf der EICMA 2024
https://themotorbikechannel.com/hjc-i80-rpha60-und-f100-drei-neue-helme-auf-der-eicma-2024/?feed_id=22687&_unique_id=674412c4221dc
Source: HJC i80, RPHA60 und F100 – Drei ...
#adventurehelm #Austria #Clemo #eicma #f100 #fahrberichte #helm #hjc #i80 #jethelm #K.OT #Motorrad #MotorradMagazin #motorradbekleidung #Motorradhelm #Motorradmagazin #motorradneuheiten #motorradnews #motorradprodukte #motorradtests #motorradvideos #motorra...
North Platte, Nebraska, was the primary home of Buffalo Bill otherwise known as William Cody. Indeed, you can even visit the Buffalo Bill State Historical Park to see his ranch. However, if you have limited time, the Fort Cody Trading Post is your best option to learn more about Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show!
Entrance to the Fort Cody Trading Post. Photo by Linda Aksomitis.Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits
While the Fort Cody Trading Post has lots of neat stuff to see, the miniature Wild West Show stands out above everything else.
What’s the miniature Wild West Show?
The miniature Wild West Show is a collection of 20,000 hand-carved figures powered by 20 motors. There are cowboys. There are Native Americans. There are cannons. There are tents. There’s all kinds of action in this animated, to-scale re-creation.
Miniature Wild West Show. Photo by Linda Aksomitis.Imagine, if you can, going back to the late 1800s to watch one of the greatest travelling shows to ever be produced. The performance was — of course — Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. However, you don’t need an imagination to see the Fort Cody show.
Fast Fact: It took 12 years for Ernie & Virginia Palmquist to create all of the carvings in the narrated diorama of the Wild West Show.
For me, one of the neatest things is that Ernie actually saw the Wild West Show as a child. He even met Buffalo Bill!
What about the Palmquists’ famous Miniature Circus?As well as the carvings for the Buffalo Bill Show, Ernie also created a traveling replica of the Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Show circus. The 50,000-piece collection of carvings was a big attraction at the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958 (from the Journal, August 29, 1962). Plus, it was featured across the U.S. in various locations.
This miniature show had a sideshow, circus parade, 30 tents, more than 20,000 circus performers including an Emmett Kelly figure wearing a wig of the famous clown’s own hair! There were tumblers. There were clowns. There were aerialists.
All of this combined into a 40-foot circus parade!
Ernie’s chief assistant was his wife, Virginia. She was a former Ziegfeld Follies dancer who sewed all the clothes for the circus people, as well as creating the tents.
Watch a video of the Miniature Circus Exhibition of 1979 here.
Today, Ernie’s miniature circus is owned by the Smithsonian.
The carvings are amazing pieces of art! Indeed, wood carving is a traditional art form that’s been around since ancient times.
While the craftsmanship of the wild west show is amazing, watching it come to life is even better (show starts every half hour). A cowboy twirls a lariat. Horses and riders go on parade. Annie Oakley shoots a target. A Native American performs a traditional war dance. Players show their cards and more.
Tents and entertainers in the miniature Wild West Show. Photo by Linda Aksomitis. What books did Linda write about the old west?Station No. 1 on the Outlaw Trail: Old West Outlaws
Kidnapped by Outlaws (Sequel to Badlands and Outlaws)
What’s at the Fort Cody Trading Post Museum?
The Fort Cody Trading Post is what the name implies – a trading post. Situated on one of the U.S.’s first cross-country roads, the Lincoln Highway, it carries on the tradition of roadside souvenir stands.
Pin me!Created in the traditional style of an old west trading post, it’s a stop that’s impossible to miss!
Outside, you’ll find a 30-foot-tall information sign with a drawing of Buffalo Bill Cody.
It includes information about Cody and the Wild West Show, which started in North Platte in 1883.
You enter the trading post through a door in the log stockade walls.
Fast Fact: Buffalo Bill started the World's first organized rodeo in North Platte, Nebraska, July 4, 1882.
In addition to the feature art carving attraction of the miniature Wild West Show, there are six murals by artist Gene McConnell. The murals depict important moments in the life of Buffalo Bill.
What artifacts are in the Fort Cody Trading Post museum collection?
Throughout the trading post, you’ll find various relics along with souvenirs you can buy. The museum artifacts date back as far as 150 years and are from the manager’s personal collection.
Some of the things you’ll see include:
Outside in the stockade, the key attraction is a Native American Muffler Man.
Native American Muffler Man in the stockade at Fort Cody Trading Post. Photo by Linda Aksomitis.You’ll also see a buffalo statue, various historic wagons, the Fort Cody Jail building, and picnic tables to relax and enjoy the afternoon.
Linda’s Road Trip Tips
We were traveling the US-83 Road to Nowhere through Nebraska when we stopped in North Platte. Unfortunately, it was late in the day, so we didn’t have time to check out some of the other attractions. However, I really missed not making it to the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park!
After our stop, we continued on US-83 for another hour into McCook for the night. Our favorite thing in McCook? The Taste of Texas BBQ restaurant where we had supper. The brisket was delicious!
Brisket at the Taste of Texas BBQ in McCook. Photo by Linda Aksomitis.We spent the night at the Cedar Inn, which was good value for the price.
Who Should Visit the Fort Cody Trading Post?
The Fort Cody Trading Post is a great, quick stop whether you’re traveling on I-80 or US-83. While combining a museum with a souvenir store may seem like a tourist trap — it’s not.
If you’re interested in the old west and the Wild West Show, this is the perfect stop.
Fort Cody Trading Post. Photo by Linda Aksomitis.Indoor artifacts likely won’t appeal to small children, but the stockade will give them plenty of space to charge around outside. The picnic area under Nebraska’s bright blue skies begs to be used.
Plan on an hour or less for your visit (unless you’re shopping and then it may take you much longer!), as the miniature wild west show runs every half-hour. The trading post is wheelchair accessible.
Admission, of course, is free.
How Do You Visit the Fort Cody Trading Post?
The Fort Cody Trading Post combines opportunities for buying some Nebraska souvenirs with a quick museum visit focused on Buffalo Bill Cody and his wild west show.
Parking: There's lots of free parking right in front of the trading post.
Location: The Fort Cody Trading Post is located at 221 Halligan Drive, North Platte, Nebraska.
It’s right off of I-80 and US-83.
Visit online at the Fort Cody website.
Keep up to date with what’s happening at the Fort Cody Trading Post Facebook page.
Take a virtual tour with the YouTube video, Welcome to Fort Cody Trading Post.
Plan your visit with Google maps.
Pin me!More Places to See in Nebraska
Check out all of guide2museum.com’s reviews of museums in Nebraska.
Read More Reviews of Art Museums
Fort Cody Trading Post: Miniature Wild West Show in North Platte, Nebraska
Museum of Northern British Columbia: Indigenous Art & History in Prince Rupert, BC
The Enchanted Highway: Giant Metal Sculptures in North Dakota
https://guide2museums.com/2024/08/30/fort-cody-trading-post-north-platte-nebraska/
#carvings #cowboys #I80 #museums #Nebraska #oldWest #travel #US_
Saw something new today on the freeway. On both WB & EB approaches to Vacaville on I-80: there are now stay in your lane signs, curve signs, & ALL lanes are separated by a solid white line for a short distance. Not sure if this is temporary as a part of the managed lanes construction project or a permanent measure. #I80 #SFBA #SolanoCounty #Vacaville
Via @SolanoNewsNet
UPDATE: Fairfield police have set up a command post at the Solano County Library along the 5000 block of Business Center Drive, where they are staging equipment and personnel associated with the freeway. #Fairfield #CHPSolano #Cordelia #I80 #I680 #SolanoCounty #SFBA #Traffic
##SFBA folks and those headed to #Tahoe be aware: CHP : Severe traffic alert and Police department activity on I-80 Westbound at Suisun Valley Rd (Fairfield). All lanes blocked. Avoid the area.
Updated: 04:08 PM 05/03/24. CHP : Severe traffic alert and Police department activity on I-80 Eastbound at I-680 S (Fairfield). All lanes blocked. Avoid the area.
Updated: 04:06 PM 05/03/24 https://511.org. #Fairfield #Cordelia #I80 #
LIVE: Storm chaser captures jaw-dropping footage of wedge tornado crossing I-80 in Nebraska
Tornadoes and damaging thunderstorms blasting across the central United States, and will continue to threaten lives and property in more than a dozen states through the weekend.
Updated Apr. 26, 2024 5:55 PM EDT
Jonathan Petramala (at 7:46pm)
"UPDATE: Hundreds of cars stranded on I-80 near the Donner Summit…blizzard winds and heaviest snow of the storm starting. It’s a race to see if they can clear the interstate before cars get too buried."
Blockbuster #CaliforniaStorm to deliver crushing blow of 10 feet of #snow and #blizzard conditions
By Mary Gilbert and Elliana Hebert, CNN
February 29, 2024
"An extremely-dangerous winter storm has arrived in California and will unload feet of snow, powerful winds and rare blizzard conditions in the mountains through the weekend.
"The storm will bury California under its biggest snowfall of the year, posing a significant danger to travelers – but provide a huge boost for the state’s water supply and tourism.
"'There are only so many ways that we can say it will be treacherous to be traveling on the roads or even exiting your home during this [storm],' the National Weather Service [#NWS] office in #RenoNevada, warned Wednesday. '#Whiteout conditions are very disorienting, so this is not the time to gamble with you or your family’s lives.'
"Snow began to fall in the Pacific Northwest late Wednesday and spread into California’s Northern Coast Range, the #KlamathMountains and the Sierra Nevada early Thursday. As snow continues to spread across California, so will strong winds and blizzard conditions.
"Snowfall rates are expected to reach extreme levels of 3 to 5 inches an hour from Friday through Saturday – especially along the Sierra Nevada.
"The prolonged extreme snowfall means 6 to 10 feet of snow could bury parts of the Sierra in just a matter of two to three days.
"The most extreme conditions will unfold at the highest elevations, with #WindGusts in excess of 100 mph expected on the highest peaks of the Sierra in addition to feet of snow. Winds are expected to blow so hard that it may be difficult to measure snow accurately with the potential for huge snow drifts.
"Heavy snow and roaring winds are expected to combine to produce rare and long-lasting blizzard conditions for much of the Sierra and parts of the northern ranges. Visibility could plummet to near-zero, meaning it’s impossible to see farther than a few feet – or at all – in the most intense blizzards.
"Given these conditions, there is a 'high chance of substantial, long-lasting disruptions to daily life in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada Friday through Saturday,' the Weather Prediction Center warned.
"Unlike other storms this winter, snow will fall well below pass levels for all impacted ranges. Close to a foot of snow is expected through the weekend for areas as low as 5,000 feet. Several inches are also possible for even lower elevations, including #RenoNevada. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph will be blowing through the lower elevations alongside snow.
"The intense conditions at lower elevations increase the risk of danger on the road.
"Travel will be 'extremely dangerous to impossible' across the Sierra through the weekend, the weather service warned. Parts of major roadways like #I80 could be shut down for long stretches. "
Driving West from DC to Denver last September, with Pretzel (depicted) and Pam on I-80 in Nebraska. #Dogs #i80 #Nebraska #GoldenRetriever
For updates on continuing #weather / #flooding / emergency response / road closure situations happening in #California & #Nevada - I suggest following MsMerope https://sfba.social/@MsMerope & karen https://mstdn.social/@geekaren - if you find good sources of info - please add in the comments. My daughter & many friends live in Cali, so a good list is good prep for me. Thanks! #wx #SacWx #CAwx #NVwx #CA #NV #I80 #Colfax #California #SouthLakeTahoe #Snow #rain #CalTrans #LArain #ScannerTraffic
You can *BARELY* make out the cars stuck at I80/Castle Peak in the Caltrans CCTV. There are a lot of them #Blizzard #DonnerPass #CAwx #Tahoe #I80 #Storm
New Year Blizzard disaster brewing at #DonnerPass - entire Greyhound bus stuck, 2 year old and family stuck in the snowstorm, vehicle stuck on railroad tracks... you name it. #CAwx #Tahoe #I80 #Blizzard #Snow
Add "Stranded on the I-80 in a Blizzard" to what you do not want to be doing on New Year's #blizzard #I80 #DonnerParty #DonnerPass #snow
