Know Nebraska: Lincoln Highway, Lodgepole, Nebraska

The village of Lodgepole has a long association with transcontinental transportation history. Early on, the area hosted the “Pole Creek No.2 Pony Express Station”. The Union Pacific Railroad came through in 1867 and the community was formally founded.

Pony Express historian Joe Nardone donated this vehicle to the Lodgepole Depot Museum. It traveled 761,327 miles to document Pony Express history.

Lodgepole’s main street moved three different times in the early years, and the route of the Lincoln Highway through town crosses the railroad tracks,

Replica concrete marker in the Lodgepole City Park.

Continuing on the south side of the tracks through town and on county roads. Still standing on the south side are an early grocery store with its accompanying ice house,

Lodgepole Ice House

One of the most enduring icons of the historic Lincoln Highway in western Nebraska is the Lodgepole Opera House.

Lodgepole Opera House Today

Lodgepole Opera House today

Ghost Sign on Lodgepole Opera House

Historical Photo Lodgepole Opera House

Historical photo - Lodgepole Opera House - Note sign on building

Tourist cabins were once an integral part of nearly every small town along the Lincoln Highway.

Lodgepole Tourist Cabins Today

Lodgepole Tourist Cabins Today

Lodgepole Tourist Cabins Today

Lodgepole Tourist Cabins during the Blizzard of 1949

Lodgepole's long association with Union Pacific Railroad history is commemorated in their depot museum.

Lodgepole Depot Museum

Lodgepole Depot in History

Kitchen in the living quarters of the Lodgepole Depot Museum

The Air Force uniform of local resident Lillian Sullivan in the Depot Museum. Lillian joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at several Bases in the United States, including Gunter Air Force Base in Alabama where she received training at the Air University School of Aviation Medicine in 1954. She was then transferred to Rhein Main Air Base in Germany from 1955-1957, and was selected to be the first Aero Med Evac Flight Nurse.

Lodgepole Light and Water Plant and Village Offices today

Lodgepole Light and Water Plant in history

Kripal Garage today

Kripal Garage in History

Interior of the Kripal Garage

Showroom of the Kripal Garage

Historic Lincoln Highway Sign in the window of the Kripal Garage

Lodgepole Lincoln Highway frontage today

Repurposed historic bank building used as Adams Bank and Trust today.

If you're ever in western Nebraska, roadtripping along the Lincoln Highway, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore the little towns you'll drive through. It will be well worth the visit.