Rock Creek Trail Days set for June 2-3

LINCOLN, Neb. – See Nebraska history come to life during Rock Creek Trail Days June 2-3 at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park.

Activities will include black powder gun demonstrations, Pony Express run, wagon rides, Hickok-McCanles Fracas reenactment, military skirmish, and demonstrations of various period trades. There will be a free-will donation lunch on June 2 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and a buffalo stew cookout June 2 at 7 p.m. The cookout will feature entertainment by David Marsh, presenting “Music of the Civil War.” Tickets for the cookout must be purchased in advance. They are $9 for adults and $6 for ages 13 and under; call the park at 402-729-5777.

Visitors can see deep trail ruts formed by wagon trains that passed through the area and view reconstructed buildings, as well as the toll bridge over Rock Creek. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Camping is available at the adjacent Rock Creek State Recreation Area. A park entry permit is required. Rock Creek Station is located southeast of Fairbury in Jefferson County.

Rock Creek Station was established in 1857 along the Oregon and California trails. It was a supply center and resting spot for westward emigrants and later became a Pony Express relay station. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission developed it as a state historical park in 1980.