Day - 4

If you drive I-80 through Nebraska you’ll see the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument as it is built over the freeway.

We’ve talked about visiting it before but for whatever reason it has never actually done so. This time we did.It’s a pretty impressive experience. When you go in you’re greeted by a costumed greeter who directs you toward the ticket seller. After you obtain your ticket you ride an escalator to the entrance of the exhibits.

Exhibits trace the linking of the coasts, by wagon trains, telegraph, rail, telegraph, pony express, stagecoach and finally the Lincoln Highway which became US 30 and then I-80. All of these took advantage of the Platte River Valley. The lighting of the exhibits was absolutely exquisite making photography easy. The Wagon Train segment covers all of the routes, Oregon Trail, California Trail and Mormon trail.

Diorama of the ill fated Mormon handcart train.