The Blue Whale and Other Travel Tales: Landmark on the Nebraska Quarter

Nebraska’s Quarter (Chimney Rock) and Scotts Bluff

Chimney Rock Admission: Free to view from parking lot; Fee to enter museum

9 - 5 Daily

Open Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day

Closed all state holidays in the off season.

Scotts Bluff National Monument: Free to those holding NPS pass ($10.00 life time cost)

Write to

P.O. Box 27
Gering, Nebraska 69341

Visitor Information
(308) 436-9700

When I first viewed the Nebraska quarter many years ago, I had no idea of what it was. Nor did I know the significance of it. Some of the quarters have historic value, but no longer exist (the Charter Oak on Connecticut’s and more recently the Old Man in the Mountain on New Hampshire’s—neither exist in their original glory). Some are more general in nature (Vermont’s Maple Trees, Kentucky’s Thoroughbred). Some honor specific people (Alabama’s Helen Keller, Ohio’s John Glenn). I know the history of some; others, I do not.

When I first viewed Rhode Island’s quarter which has a sailing boat in front of the Narragansett/Jamestown Bridge, I was standing in Fort Adams in Newport. I held the quarter in my hand and looked toward the bridge. It was a beautiful sight to behold. It was the exact view that I beheld on the quarter in my hand.

I really never thought about seeing other landmarks that are immortalized on these quarters. But Lo! And Behold! As we are driving westward in Nebraska, there’s Chimney Rock. (I did not know its name when I first saw it, but I knew it was the landmark on the Nebraska quarter.)

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It was a landmark that many of the 500,000 pioneers crossing the country on the various Trails (Mormon Trail and Oregon Trail, to name two) looked forward to seeing. It can be seen for mmmaaaaaaanny miles. It was a sign of hope for them. Today, it is in a state park. We followed the road that brought up close and personal with it. Because there are many rattlesnakes in the area, there are warning signs to stay on the paved path. (We did see a dead rattlesnake in the road on the way into the park that had been hit before we got there). The path leads one to a small, but pleasant looking museum. We chose not to go in as we were just awed by looking at the rock. We also chose not to follow the paved path. Another really hot day. We just stood in the parking lot and marveled at it.

It really gave me a great feeling and inspiration for all those people who crossed in such difficult situations. How blessed we are today that we can hop into a car and drive hither, thither and yon. Stop at state rest areas when needed. The Plains are just that—Plains—flat, flat, flat. I don’t know what one did for privacy in performing ones bodily functions. So, much courage and drive to better ones self and the life of ones family. The hardships were a long way from many of our miniscule problems of today.

Signs warned to stay on the path. BEWARE of Rattle Snakes.... This one apparently did not read the signs. It was DOA in the road.

Several miles beyond Chimney Rock is a National Park Monument known as Scotts Bluff. One of Franklin Roosevelt’s work groups/projects (the WPA, I think) is responsible for building a two lane highway to the top. There are several tunnels through which one passes to reach the plateau. The design did not harm to vistas. The town of Scotts Bluff is spread out several miles away below. Hiking trails from the bottom wind around the various rock formations. One can also take a NPS shuttle to the top and walk down. Campers and trailers are not allowed. So, if one is being towed, one would have to take the shuttle to see the view.

There is a wonderful museum and gift shop at the bottom. Native American tools. Great photography.

The area had been a picnic area long before the road was constructed. Gentlemen (and Ladies at the turn of the century up to the 1930’s in their long dresses) would climb to the top via ladders and bring their picnic hampers to spend a Sunday afternoon, enjoying each others company, the food and the awesome vistas.

The pioneers, upon seeing this landmark, knew they had made it that much further. The briefly lived, but famous, Pony Express generally followed the California Trail—both of which went through Scotts Bluff as did the Oregon and Mormon Trails. It was a major milestone in their travels. Before the road was built, early settlers had to travel through Mitchell Pass, one more challenge for the already hard pressed men, women and children.

Three reproduction covered wagons welcome one to the entrance of the NPS monument. Hardships abounded and might include having to walk next to the wagon to lighten the load for the beasts of burden, haul their own wagons or carts as some were too poor to purchase oxen, horses, mules. Buffalo stampedes. Unpredictable weather (bitter cold, violent winds, torrential rain, scorching sun). And an occasional Indian attack. There was no privacy. Every mile was hard won and brought them closer to their new life.