Garden County, NE
With an expanse of ranch and agricultural acres in the North Platte River Valley, Garden County provides an abundance of upland birds, waterfowl and deer for hunting enthusiasts, and those hunters enjoy an immensely extended season.
As the state's birding hot spot, over 310 species have been identified.
Garden County and neighboring Keith County to the east are the best places in the state and the third best in the country to go birding. The area has the third largest local list for any locality in the entire United States. The reason the area attracts so many different bird species is its range of habitats - a larger reservoir, Lake McConaughy, that stays open most of the winter, the North Platte River, coniferous forest in the cedar bluffs on the south side of the reservoir and the river, deciduous forest next to the river, and the Sandhills grasslands with the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge 20 miles north of Oshkosh.
Garden County, choosing the
title as "garden spot of the west," was formed in 1909, when Deuel County was divided, and Oshkosh was elected as its county seat.
It surrounds the
valley of the North Platte River, once plied by French
traders in their buffalo skin boats, and closely followed by
Mormon hand carts, Oregon Trail wagon trains, and
California prospectors. Nearby Ash Hollow provided a
camping place for weary travelers.
Today, near the town of Lewellen, Ash Hollow is a State Historical Park where
interested travelers may learn of ancient Indians, early
emigrants, and events such as the Battle of Blue Water. They may visit the 1849 grave of Rachel Pattison, the beginning of Ash
Hollow Cemetery, and Ray Brown's sod house, a remnant of the stupendous Ash Hollow Centennial Pageant of 1967. They
may climb Windlass Hill where Oregon Trail ruts are still visible.
Explore Garden County
Oregon Trail Marker
This marker of the Oregon Trail is located on the walking path that leads visitors to the crest of Windless Hill in Ash Hollow State Historical Park.
Oshkosh, NE Historical MarkersDirectional Stone Marker
This stone marker has been moved from its original location and placed just north of the Nebraska Historical Marker of the John Hollman grave.
It is inscribed - "TO THE PIONEERS WHO TRAVELED THIS TRAIL, erected by GARDEN CO.
Oshkosh, NE Historical MarkersCresent Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge is part of a nationwide system established for the preservation of waterfowl. The 48,000-acre refuge is approximately 30
Oshkosh, NE Wildlife RefugesThe Hollman Grave Historical Marker
It has been estimated that at least 20,000 persons died on the overland trail between 1842 and 1859. This averages ten graves per miles over the 2,000 mile trail. Of the hundreds that died while crossing Nebraska, only seven identifiable graves remain.
Oshkosh, NE Historical MarkersHistoric Lewellen State Aid Bridge
The Lewellen State Aid Bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Garden County Commissioners first applied for state aid to build bridges over the North Platte River at Lewellen and Oshkosh in July 1916
Lewellen, NE Historic BridgesBattle of Blue Water
This historical marker recounts the largest engagement between United States troops and Native Americans ever fought in Nebraska territory, and one of the 12 largest engagements between Native Americans and the white man. On September 5, 1855, the U. S. Army's 600
Oshkosh, NE Historical MarkersGarden County Museum
An early 1900s school house and an old opera house/theater located downtown are filled with historic items, Indian artifacts, fossils, and a bird collection of 300 stuffed specimens. A second museum building at the south end of Main at E Avenue is a larger building for larger exhibits.
Oshkosh, NE MuseumsGarden County Courthouse
Garden County Courthouse Listed in the National Register of Historical Places [GD03-003] Listed 1990/01/10 In an election held in 1909, Deuel County voters approved the creation of Garden County and the older county lost three-fourths of its territory. Oshkosh was established in 1889
Oshkosh, NE Historic CourthousesHistoric Rackett Grange Hall
Rackett Grange Hall 318 Listed in the National Register of Historical Places [GD04-002] Listed 2001/07/05 Constructed in 1926 the hall, located at the former town site of Rackett 25 miles north east of Oshkosh, is a one-story, false front commercial building. The Rackett Grange Hall #318
Oshkosh, NE Historic BuildingsAsh Hollow Historical Park
Nebraska Game & Parks describes Ash Hollow as the state's "most intriguing and unusual"
Oshkosh, NE Historic ParksHistory of Ash Hollow
Archaeological excavations in Ash Hollow indicate that early man used the area as much as 6,000 years ago. A small rock shelter in the side of the bluff near the park visitor center was used as a campsite by later Plains Indians for about 3,000
Oshkosh, NEOshkosh Country Club
Oshkosh Country Club is a well-kept, nine-hole golf course located near the North Platte River. Beautiful scenery abounds and occasionally wildlife can be observed. The par 36 hole course will test every golfer. League activities prevail during the summer weekdays, including men's, women'
Oshkosh, NE Golf Courses