The Platte River Trails: Oregon, California and Mormon

 Inside the Kearney Archway is a museum which tells the story of the pioneer trails, starting with Fort Kearney and traveling west.  The California and Oregon trails approached this point from the south, while the Mormon trail came from the north side of the Platte River.  There is a great deal about the Mormon handcarts

From the ruins of Nauvoo to Zion in the west

Fort Kearney

diorama of a famous handcart painting

Mostly from the California trail Humbolt area where many loads were lightened to make it across the desert.  The handcart pioneers also lightened their load in Wyoming.

Clara Brown, an early pioneer and former slave, who landed in Colorado as the first African American to settle in the state.  She brought many relatives to Colorado, which eventually included her daughter.

"This is the place" said Brigham Young; not a place of ease but of hardship to build a people.

The last spike, coming of the railroad

Westward mural: presents mountain man, river rafting, meeting with Native Americans, wagons, handcarts, gold panning, laying telegraph line and stage coach.