Travel Oracles 50 States: Nebraska
Joined: Was admitted to the union as the 37th state on March 1, 1867, two years after the end of the American Civil War
Original Indigenous Peoples: The Algonquian-speaking Arapaho lived for more than 1,000 years throughout the western part of Nebraska. In a prehistoric period; Nebraska was home to the Arikara, who spoke a Caddoan language, as did the Pawnee; after 1823 they returned from present-day North Dakota to live with the Skidi Pawnee for two years.
First Settlers: The first European to arrive in Nebraska was likely Spanish explorer Francisco de Coronado in 1541. He claimed the land for Spain. It was over 100 years later, in 1682, that another explorer, Frenchman Robert Cavelier, claimed the land for France.
History moment: Prior to its statehood, the Nebraska Territory had been sparsely settled but saw growth during the California Gold Rush in 1848, with a larger wave of settlers arriving as homesteaders in the 1860s. Although the territorial capital of Nebraska was Omaha when it achieved statehood the seat of government was moved to Lancaster, which was later renamed Lincoln after President Abraham Lincoln, who had recently been assassinated.
Known for: Contains some of the nation’s best ranchland and farmland
Places: Omaha, Lincoln
Movie setting: Nebraska, Election, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Surprising facts: The Naval Ammunition Depot located in Hastings was the largest U.S. ammunition plant providing 40% of WWII's ammunition.
Nebraska has everything from city sophistication to country charm. There are places so rugged and wild they still conjure images of the Old West frontier, and there are cosmopolitan cities with fabulous shopping and superb restaurants. The terrain varies from the rolling hill country along the Missouri River, where foliage is lush and varied, to the grasslands of the Sandhills, to the Panhandle's rough breaks with their bluffs and buttes. Nebraska was declared part of the "Great American Desert" by government explorer Stephen Long in 1820. But the state actually has 23,000 miles of rivers and streams and 246 public lakes and reservoirs that also attract an estimated 10 million ducks and 2 million snow geese.
My Experience: Never been, but some of the nicest people I know are from there
Omaha: Nearly half a million people live in the river city of Omaha, which serves as the hub of Nebraska’s commerce and industry. This little city has more going for it than many people realize; here you’ll find elegant hotels, organic-food restaurants, and one of the most impressive art museums in the American West. Minutes away from downtown are expansive prairies, state parks, and attractions that chronicle the opening of the West to settlement. Things to do
Nature: There are 5 National Parks - Agate Fossil Beds National Monument , Homestead National Monument of America , Missouri National Recreational River, Niobrara National Scenic River, Scotts Bluff National Monument
Ranking in US: Per the annual US News report, Nebraska is currently ranked #6 out of 50 in 2021, it was #9 in 2019.