April 2021 • Nebraskaland 41
Game and Parks State Recreation Area in 1971.
1959 - The Legislature approved a bill that created the
Division of State Parks within the Commission. The bill
also established the State Park Fund and a special mill
levy that would collect 1.3 cents for every $100 in assessed
taxable property value from 1959 through 1968 to fund the
development and maintenance of the park system, replacing
the SRA sticker and the general fund appropriation. It spurred
major projects in the parks. The Commission was assigned
tourism responsibilities for the state.
1959 - Assigned boating safety responsibilities by the
Legislature, the Commission began issuing licenses for
motorized boats.
1960s - Throughout the 1960s, a chain of lakes in central
Nebraska, created by construction of Interstate 80, were
developed as hunting, fi shing and recreation areas, including
Mormon Island, Union Pacifi c, War Axe and Windmill state
recreation areas.
1960 - Two Rivers State
Recreation Area opened,
featuring camping, swimming,
fi shing and 28 duck blinds for
rent.
1962 - Red Willow Reservoir,
the fourth and fi nal large
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
reservoir in the region, opened.
1964 - The Commission
began managing Lake
Minatare, a U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation reservoir that
was completed in 1915. Its
landmark, 55-foot lighthouse
was built entirely of native
stone between 1937 and 1939
by the Veterans Conservation
Corps Camp BR-1.
1964 - Bluestem and Wagon
Train lakes opened to public
use. These were the fi rst of
Camping at Two Rivers State Recreation Area in Douglas County, 1960s. NGPC PHOTO LIBRARY
Mike Voorhies explains the intricacies of excavation to
visitors in the "Rhino Barn" at Ashfall State Historical Park
in 1993.
DON CUNNINGHAM, NEBRASKALAND
