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/644631
10 NEBRASKAland • MARCH 2016 ravel on Highway 26, and at the west end of Lake McConaughy your journey will take you through the small but mighty town of Lewellen in Garden County. Rich with history, Lewellen lies in the North Platte River Valley that was once populated by Native Americans, French traders and weary pioneers headed west with hand carts or in wagon trains to stake claims on the frontier. Nearby Ash Hollow provided a camping place for these travelers, offering shelter, abundant water and lush green fields. The town is named after Frank Lewellen, who built a small store and post office in 1886. Evolving around an east- west wagon route, Lewellen grew with a small schoolhouse (1890), a bridge built across the North Platte River connecting to Big Springs and Ogallala (1891), the Methodist Church (1899), and Lewellen Merchantile (1901) – all encouraged more settlement in the area. Today, Ash Hollow is a State Historical Park (SHP) that boasts a visitor center sitting in a beautiful landscape. Climbing Windlass Hil l, where Oregon Trail wagon-wheel ruts are still visible, and visiting Ray Brown's original sod house are other attractions at the park. The Battle of Blue Water Creek, also known as the Battle of Ash Hollow, was an attack U.S. Army soldiers, led by General William S. Harney, made on a Brulé Lakota village in September 1855. The confrontation resulted in the largest loss of women, children, warriors and property that the Brulé Sioux had ever experienced. A historical pageant is performed every June at Ash Hollow SHP. Accompanied by a live band, actors tell the stories of pioneers traveling the Oregon, California and Mormon trails from 1843 to 1864 through their diaries and songs. While in Lewellen, also visit the 17 Ranch Winery on Main Street for their light, fresh Nebraska Table Wines made from their own vineyard and working ranch. Stay at the Gander Inn Motel Bed and Breakfast, which features several rooms and cottages, outdoor games for the whole family, picnic tables and grills. For a taste of country living stay at Nancy B's Backyard Bunkhouse. For home-town meals visitors can indulge at The Most Unlikely Place, the Blind Goose Restaurant & Lounge or the Oregon Trail Trading Post. Clear Creek Refuge and Wildlife Management Area, east of Lewellen, is open to seasonal hunting and fishing, and also hiking, mushroom hunting and bird watching. ■ By Julie Geiser Lewellen ra M s Ri h Get a home-towmn meal at "The Most Unlikely Place" 17 Ranch Winery on Main Street in Lewellen Lewellen Background photo: Goose Hunting at Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area. Ray Brown's sodDY at Ash Hollow