Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska Kindle Edition

"Scotts Bluff National Monument" by Merrill J. Mattes is a historical handbook that delves into the rich history of the Scotts Bluff National Monument in Nebraska. The book is part of the National Park Service Historical Handbook Series and provides a detailed account of the early exploration of the Great Plains, the first white men at Scotts Bluff, and the rediscovery of the central overland route. The book also covers the Rocky Mountain fur trade, the tragedy of Scotts Bluff, and the migration to Oregon. The author describes how Scotts Bluff was a celebrated landmark on the Oregon Trail, serving as a sentinel for countless trains of ox-drawn covered wagons. The book explores the history of the fur traders who were the first white men to see Scotts Bluff, as well as the tragic tale of Hiram Scott, after whom the bluff was named. The narrative follows the early explorers, missionaries, and adventurers who passed through Scotts Bluff on their way to the West. The book also highlights the migration of the Forty-niners during the California gold rush, as they converged on the Missouri River towns and embarked on the treacherous journey to the West. The author details the challenges faced by the emigrants, including disease, exhaustion, and the harsh terrain of the Great Plains. Despite the dangers, the emigrants pressed on, driven by the promise of gold and a better life in California. Overall, "Scotts Bluff National Monument" provides a comprehensive look at the history of Scotts Bluff and its significance in the westward expansion of the United States. The book serves as a valuable resource for those interested in the history of the American West and the experiences of the pioneers who traveled through this iconic landmark. The middle section of the book discusses the challenges faced by Forty-niners on the Oregon-California Trail, including the slow progress of wagon trains, sacrifices made to lighten the load, and the estimated number of emigrants who journeyed westward during the gold rush years. The geography of Scotts Bluff and its significance to emigrants is also detailed, along with the confusion surrounding the names and passes in the area. The book delves into the history of trading posts at Scotts Bluff during the gold rush era, highlighting the activities of traders like Robidoux and the American Fur Company. The arrival of the Pony Express and the first transcontinental telegraph line are described, marking the end of an era for stagecoaches and prairie schooners. The book also covers the warfare on the Plains, including conflicts with Native American tribes and the establishment of forts like Fort Mitchell. The transition from hunters and miners to cowboys and homesteaders is discussed, along with the impact of the decline of the buffalo herds on Native American populations. The Black Hills Gold Rush of 1876 bypassed Scotts Bluff, as prospectors rode the Union Pacific Railroad to Sidney or Cheyenne before heading north to the diggings. The last chapter of Scotts Bluff's pre-settlement history is known as "The Cowboy Era," with the open range cattle industry taking off during the Oregon Trail days. Ranchers began appropriating grazing lands in the North Platte Valley in the 1870s, with thousands of cattle herded past Scotts Bluff towards the northern Plains after the Sioux mop-up in 1876-77. The arrival of homesteaders in 1885 marked the end of the cowboy era, with Gering being platted in 1888 and the town of Scottsbluff established in 1900. The landscape transformed from buffalo roaming to irrigation ditches, fields, and Herefords, with peaceful Sioux citizens and modern transportation replacing bullboats and wagons. The geology and biology of Scotts Bluff are also fascinating, with the bluff being an erosional remnant of the ancient Great Plains. The area is rich in fossils from the Oligocene and Miocene Epochs, with a variety of plant and animal life still present today Read more