NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1342681
74 Nebraskaland • March 2021 As of Jan. 13, 2021, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior has recognized Scout's Rest Ranch at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park in North Platte a National Historic Landmark. The 8.25-acre historical park was the primary home of frontiersman and showman William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody from 1886 to 1913; Cody developed a series of "Wild West" vaudeville shows that incorporated rodeo performances with historical re-enactments of the American frontier in the late 1800s. The park includes the mansion, barn, outbuildings, irrigation system, windmill and landscaped lawns. The ranch, at one time, covered nearly 4,000 acres of prairie and supported cattle. Cody dubbed his slice of Nebraska as "Scout's Rest," a name that reflected his career as a civilian scout for the military and his vision of the ranch as a retreat where he could relax and plan his entertainment empire. Cody conducted Wild West business at Scout's Rest, including the purchasing, training and stabling of horses. He also signed contracts with new performers at the ranch and offered them a place to rehearse. This National Historic Landmark title designates Scout's Rest as significant to American history and culture, and a special event to celebrate is planned for later this year. This achievement coincides with the centennial year of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's state parks system. The National Park Service contributed to this article. MIXED BAG Nebraskans now have four new specialty license plates to choose from for their vehicles to show their conservation pride. The newly designed plates became available at the Department of Motor Vehicles Jan. 1, celebrating Nebraska's diverse wildlife and recreation opportunities. The three wildlife options include a bighorn sheep, sandhill crane and ornate box turtle. The fourth option, championed by Bike Walk Nebraska, includes a trail scene and the words "The Good Life is Outside." The alpha-numeric specialty plates are $5 per year and custom message specialty plates are $40 per year. Revenue from the wildlife plates will benefi t the Wildlife Conservation Fund, which supports conservation of Nebraska's at-risk, threatened and endangered species. Funds from the trail plate will benefi t trail maintenance at Nebraska's state parks. The new plates join the state's mountain lion plate, which was introduced in 2016 and benefi ts Game and Parks' conservation education fund. "Our native wildlife and recreation opportunities are an important part of our lives and heritage here in Nebraska, and these plates refl ect that," said Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas. "We're excited that Nebraskans can show their pride for wildlife and help fund conservation at the same time." To order a plate online, visit d m v . n e b r a s k a . g o v /s e r v i c e s . Applications also may be submitted in person or through the mail at the state Department of Motor Vehicles. To see the plate designs and learn more about the causes they support, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/ licenseplates. NEW LICENSE PLATES BENEFIT CONSERVATION AND NEBRASKA TRAILS By Renae Blum SCOUTS REST RANCH DESIGNATED AS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK By Julie Geiser s a WILLIAM F. CODY