BTW, it's gorgeous and is historically furnished, which you can peek behind glass barriers. walk inside "Old Bedlam," which was built in 1849 and served as the military headquarters for the fort. tour the Cavalry Barracks (seen above ^), where you can take a peek inside rows and rows of beds and equipment to give you a glimpse into life stationed at the fort Wagon trains often rested and restocked supplies here during westward expansion, and it also served as a military outpost during the "Great Sioux War." Today it's quite an expansive historic site with lots to check out you'll want to take your time doing, unless you visit on a day 100+ degrees like my family did! You'll find on-site interpreters who can answer all your questions during the summer. This site was originally built as a private fur trading fort in 1834 (like most forts on the trail!), becoming the best known military fort in the area until it was abandoned in 1890. don't miss the Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site, where you can see the impact from wagon wheels cut into soft sandstone over terrain that looks pretty rough! It's truly magical and only an hour drive! It has nothing to do with The Oregon Trail but I cannot recommend it enough. see Carhenge, which is Stonehenge but made of cars. The Lakota Sioux were there first and already knew (duh). visit the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, where in the 1890s scientists found fossils in one of the most complete Miocene mammal sites. stop by Scott's Bluff National Monument, a mere 20-minute drive away, and drive (or hike) to the top of the formation to see Chimney Rock in the distance The visitor's center features museum exhibits about the voluntary western migration. Truman National Historic Site, the 33rd president's home he lived in before, during, and after his presidencyĮveryone, and I mean EVERYONE remembers Chimney Rock as a stop on the Oregon Trail! These days it's not standing quite as tall thanks to weathering, though you can definitely still see it as you near it in the distance - much like the settlers before you. tour the The Bingham-Waggoner Estate, a historic home whose estate grounds served as a shortcut for the Sante Fe Trail walk through the 1859 Jail and Marshal's Home where you can learn about "Frontier Justice" and Frank James (Jesse James's older brother) was held while he was on trail for murder in a train robbery. visit the 1827 Log Courthouse, that was the only courthouse between Independence and the Pacific for 40+ years and where President Truman held court in the 1930s visit the Chicago & Alton Depot, a two-story train depot built in 1879 and moved to its current location in 1996 tour the historic Vaile Victorian Mansion, a 31-room mansion that's a glowing example of the Second Empire style of architecture in the U.S. visit the National Frontier Tours Museum, which includes info on the Sante Fe and California trails, as well grab a drink at the Clinton’s Soda Fountain where President Harry S. This site has a TON of stuff to do (especially in comparison to other stops that are what one would call "out in the middle of nowhere") so it's worth planning to spend a good chunk of time here.ĭuring your visit you can also: - take a horse-drawn carriage tour around the square It's likely where folks bought their ox, clothing, ammunition, and other essentials for the journey. This is where it all started! It was the jumping off point for the IRL trail (and apparently the Sante Fe and California trails, as well).