Ponca Tribe Marker

This has been the homeland of the Ponca Indians since earliest recorded history. In 1866, the Federal government signed the treaty of Fort Laramie, which transferred the land to the Sioux without the permission of the Ponca. Treaties made with the government in 1856 had guaranteed their land to them. The Ponca were forcibly removed to Indian Territory in 1877. Unable to adjust to the climate of the South, many died, including the son of Chief Standing Bear.

In January 1879, Standing Bear and his people left Indian Territory bearing the remains of his son for burial in Nebraska. When troops arrested them, white friends came to their aid. A landmark court decision, Standing Bear vs. Crook, which determined that " an Indian is a person within the meaning of the law," did much to provide legal rights for all Indians. In 1977, Standing Bear was elected to the Nebraska Hall of Fame.

A Nebraska Reservation was eventually assigned to the Northern Ponca. In 1962, the reservation was terminated. The Northern Ponca were reinstated as a federally-recognized tribe on October 31, 1990.

- Nebraska State Historical Marker

Outdoor Mural

This 140 ft. mural on the north side of the museum building was painted by Keith Knutson of Niobrara and Blane Berg of Verdel. It was funded by the Historical Society and represents approximately 200 years of history from Lewis & Clark days to the

Niobrara, NE Arts

Niobrara Railroad Bridge - NHR

The old railroad bridge northwest of Niobrara provides a walking bridge from Niobrara to the Niobrara State Park. It was built in 1929 as a replacement for a 1902

Niobrara, NE National Register

Mormon Monument

In 1846 Newell Knight, his family, and a company of Mormons left Nauvoo, Illinois to search out a home in the Rocky Mountains. Due to hardships, the group could not go on and they built a fort of log cabins by the Niobrara

Niobrara, NE Monuments

Lewis and Clark Visitors Center

Niobrara, NE Recreation

Devil's Nest

Devil's Nest is a designated scenic area noted as a hideout for Jesse James and other famous outlaws. Rumors have it there is still $30,000 in hidden gold buried in the Devils Nest! In your adventure of reaching this point, you will no doubt understand why this was such a good hiding place.

Niobrara, NE

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