Robidoux Pass
Encyclopedia
Robidoux Pass, also known as Roubadeau Pass, Roubedeau Pass, Roubideau Pass, Roubidoux Passis and Roubadeau Pass Gap, is a gap passing through the Wildcat Hills
near Scottsbluff, Nebraska
about nine miles (14 km) west of Gering, Nebraska
. The gap was on the route of the historic Oregon
or Emigrant Trail
. It is at an elevation of 4,554 feet, 1,388 meters The pass is a National Historic Landmark
. The area was named for members of the Robideau family, either Antoine or Joseph E. Robideau, who maintained a trading post east of the gap in the late 1840s and later at Scottsbluff. The pass lies a few miles west southwest of Scottsbluff, Nebraska in broken country south of the North Platte River, the Wildcat Hills.
A local road, Robidoux Road, now passes through the gap. Robidoux Pass is located south of Scotts Bluff National Monument
, 0.5 mile south and eight miles west of Gering, Nebraska
off Nebraska Highway 71
on Robidoux Road.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1961.
Its significance, as of designation in 1961, was described as:
41.8149688°N 103.8538362°W
Wildcat Hills
The Wildcat Hills are an escarpment between the North Platte River and Pumpkin Creek in the western Nebraska Panhandle. Located in Banner, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff counties, the high tableland between the streams has been eroded by wind and water into a region of forested buttes, ridges and...
near Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Scottsbluff is a city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 15,039 at the 2010 census. Scottsbluff is the largest city in the Nebraska Panhandle, and the 13th largest city in Nebraska....
about nine miles (14 km) west of Gering, Nebraska
Gering, Nebraska
Gering is a city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Scottsbluff, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,751 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Scotts Bluff County....
. The gap was on the route of the historic Oregon
Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail is a historic east-west wagon route that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon and locations in between.After 1840 steam-powered riverboats and steamboats traversing up and down the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers sped settlement and development in the flat...
or Emigrant Trail
Emigrant Trail
The Emigrant Trails were the northern networks of overland wagon trails throughout the American West, used by emigrants from the eastern United States to settle lands west of the Interior Plains during the overland migrations of the mid-19th century...
. It is at an elevation of 4,554 feet, 1,388 meters The pass is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. The area was named for members of the Robideau family, either Antoine or Joseph E. Robideau, who maintained a trading post east of the gap in the late 1840s and later at Scottsbluff. The pass lies a few miles west southwest of Scottsbluff, Nebraska in broken country south of the North Platte River, the Wildcat Hills.
This immense sandstone and clay formation blocked wagon travel along the south bank of the North Platte River, forcing early travelers to swing south and go through Robidoux Pass, a natural gateway in the great bluffs. In 1850, a shorter route was opened through Mitchell Pass, which stayed closer to the river and eliminated the eight-mile swing south.
A local road, Robidoux Road, now passes through the gap. Robidoux Pass is located south of Scotts Bluff National Monument
Scotts Bluff National Monument
Scotts Bluff National Monument in western Nebraska includes an important 19th century landmark on the Oregon Trail and Mormon Trail. The National Monument contains multiple bluffs located on the south side of the North Platte River; it is named for one prominent bluff called Scotts Bluff, which...
, 0.5 mile south and eight miles west of Gering, Nebraska
Gering, Nebraska
Gering is a city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Scottsbluff, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,751 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Scotts Bluff County....
off Nebraska Highway 71
Nebraska Highway 71
Nebraska Highway 71 is a highway in western Nebraska. Its southern terminus is at the Colorado border south of Kimball, as a continuation of Colorado State Highway 71...
on Robidoux Road.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1961.
Its significance, as of designation in 1961, was described as:
External links
41.8149688°N 103.8538362°W