icknamed
the
"Crossroads
of
America,"
Columbus
sits
at
the
junction
of
U.S.
routes
30
and
81.
Founded
by
a
group
of
citizens
from
Columbus,
Ohio,
who
sought
to
build
a
township
along
the
proposed
route
of
the
transcontinental
railroad,
settlers
arrived
at
the
confluence
of
the
Platte
and
Loup
rivers
in
Nebraska
Territory
in
1856,
and
they
made
it
home.
Today,
the
Union
Pacific
railroad
still
runs
through
Columbus,
and
the
town
is
as
vibrant
as
ever.
From
fireworks
to
horse
racing,
Columbus
is
the
place
to
be
in
warm
summer
months,
especially
at
AgPark,
where
the
Platte
County
Fair
is
scheduled
for
July
8-12.
For
camping
and
outdoor
recreation,
look
to
the
Loup
Power
District,
which
maintains
265
acres
of
land
and
1,100
acres
of
water
between
its
five
parks
and
lakes
North
and
Babcock
where
visitors
can
camp,
fish,
bike,
hike,
boat,
swim
and
more.
Nearby,
Wilkinson
Wildlife
Management
Area
is
a
popular
destination
for
waterfowl
hunters,
as
well
as
a
great
place
to
shoot
pheasants.
Families
needing
to
cool
down
can
check
out
Pawnee
Plunge
Water
Park
located
in
Pawnee
Park.
While
you're
there,
don't
forget
to
stop
at
the
Andrew
Jackson
Higgins
Memorial,
where
sits
a
life-
size
replica
of
a
Higgins
Boat.
A
Columbus
native,
Higgins
was
the
inventor
and
supplier
of
more
than
20,000
boats
during
WWII.
Thirsty
or
hungry?
Though
"Buffalo
Bill"
Cody
no
longer
haunts
Glur's
Tavern,
the
bar
remains
one
of
the
oldest
taverns
in
America.
Built
in
1876
and
still
open
today,
the
establishment
has
yet
to
miss
a
beat.
Visitors
stay
for
the
historic
setting,
delicious
burgers
and
never-ending
drinks.
For
a
wider
selection
of
food
and
handcrafted
drinks,
Gottberg
Brew
Pub
is
a
favorite
among
locals.
Run
by
Duster's
Restaurant,
which
is
next
door,
the
pub
looks
like
the
inside
of
a
grain
bin
and
boasts
a
fun
atmosphere
along
with
unique,
small-
batch
beers,
sodas
and
good
food.
Or
stop
by
La
Riviera
Taco
Truck
located
on
the
corner
of
23
rd
and
10
th
for
lunch
or
late-night
snack
of
tasty
tacos.
Choose
from
the
usual
beef,
pork,
and
chicken
or
authentic
favorites
such
as
chorizo,
lingua
(tongue)
or
intestines.
For
more
information
on
Columbus,
visit
Columbusne.us,
Agpark.com
and
Loup.com.
■
By
Jenny
Nguyen
sought
Columbus
Cool
down
at
the
water
park
this
summer.
Andrew
Jackson
Higgins
Memorial
One
of
the
nation's
oldest
taverns
Columbus
