October 11, 2022
GREAT PLATTE RIVER ROAD ARCHWAY MONUMENT
3060 E 1st St, Kearney, NE 68847
“The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument is a monument on Interstate 80 located three miles east of Kearney, Nebraska, United States. Opened in July 2000, it houses a historical experience that tells the story of Nebraska and the Platte River Valley in the development of America.” - Wikipedia
I have driven under this arch several times while traveling I-80 to and/or from Colorado but have never stopped to check it out before. As I was planning my trek across Nebraska, I decided this was the time to stop. The self-guided tour with an audio device telling the stories of people traversing the state starting with the pioneers and ending with present day travelers. Stories included the pioneers using the Oregon, Mormon, or California Trails (the three joined together for a stretch near Kearney), the use of the Pony Express for communication, the building of the transcontinental railroad, and ended with automobile crossing the country on the Lincoln Highway and now Interstate 80. The museum does not have a lot of historical relics of the different times, but effectively uses mannequins and replicas of period objects to illustrate the stories.
Outside the museum are several art pieces and other interesting things for people to enjoy. The approximate hour I spent at the Archway was a great break from driving on I-80.
The Archway Monument spanning I-80.
A Native American scout helping one of the early pioneers traverse the country.
Fort Kearney was a key stopping point for settlers traveling west.
The Forty-Niners followed the California Trail.
The Mormon Trail taking people to Salt Lake City.
A lot of times the terrain proved too rough and people had to get rid of things like pianos to lighten their load. One in ten who tried to cross to the west coast died on the way.
The development of communication was key. This scene showed both the Pony Express and the telegrams.
The stage coach was one of the first forms of mass transit.
Then the cross country railroad was completed.
And after the railroad, automobiles required highways that spanned the country. The Lincoln Highway went from east coast to west coast and crosssed Nebraska (and Iowa).
Of course, along the cross country highways people had to eat, thus roadside cafes sprung up.
From the archway there was a window that looked out onto I-80. There was a radar gun set up, most people while I was watching were speeding.
