Rock Creek Station
Encyclopedia
Rock Creek Station was a stagecoach
and Pony Express
station in southeastern Nebraska
, near the present-day village of Endicott
.
and California Trail
, along the west bank of Rock Creek. The station was a supply center and campground for emigrants. In 1859, the property was purchased by David McCanles
, who added another station on the east bank and built a toll bridge across Rock Creek. Two years later, he leased or sold the property to the Russell
, Waddell
, and Majors
firm, which owned and operated the Pony Express
.
In July 1861, David McCanles, who had a reputation as being a local bully, stopped by Rock Creek Station to inquire about the status of his payments. An argument ensued, and McCanles was shot and killed by a young James Butler Hickok, who later became known as Wild Bill Hickok
.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
began development of the area as a state historical park and state recreation area in 1980. Deep trail ruts
can be seen on the 390 acres (1.6 km²) park complex. Many of the station's buildings have been reconstructed, other attractions include a visitor center with exhibits about pioneers along the Oregon trail and Wild Bill Hickok, hiking trails, and a campground.
Stagecoach
A stagecoach is a type of covered wagon for passengers and goods, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, usually four-in-hand. Widely used before the introduction of railway transport, it made regular trips between stages or stations, which were places of rest provided for stagecoach travelers...
and Pony Express
Pony Express
The Pony Express was a fast mail service crossing the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the High Sierra from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, from April 3, 1860 to October 1861...
station in southeastern Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, near the present-day village of Endicott
Endicott, Nebraska
Endicott is a village in Jefferson County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 139 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Endicott is located at ....
.
History
Rock Creek Station was established in 1857 along the Oregon TrailOregon 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...
and California Trail
California Trail
The California Trail was an emigrant trail of about across the western half of the North American continent from Missouri River towns to what is now the state of California...
, along the west bank of Rock Creek. The station was a supply center and campground for emigrants. In 1859, the property was purchased by David McCanles
McCanles Gang
The supposed McCanles Gang or McCandless Gang was known as an outlaw gang in the early 1860s that was wanted for alleged train robbery, murder, bank robbery, cattle rustling, and horse theft. However, there are questions surrounding the veracity of not only the allegations, but the existence of any...
, who added another station on the east bank and built a toll bridge across Rock Creek. Two years later, he leased or sold the property to the Russell
William Hepburn Russell
William Hepburn Russell is often credited along with Alexander Majors and William B. Waddell as the founders, owners, and operators of the Pony Express. His public life is one of numerous business ventures, some successful and some failed...
, Waddell
William B. Waddell (Pony Express founder)
William Bradford Waddell is often credited along with Alexander Majors and William Hepburn Russell as the founders, owners, and operators of the Pony Express...
, and Majors
Alexander Majors
thumb|right|240px|Alexander MajorsAlexander Majors got his start in overland freight on the Santa Fe Trail in 1848. On his first trip, he set a new time record of 92 days for the 1564 mile round trip....
firm, which owned and operated the Pony Express
Pony Express
The Pony Express was a fast mail service crossing the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the High Sierra from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, from April 3, 1860 to October 1861...
.
In July 1861, David McCanles, who had a reputation as being a local bully, stopped by Rock Creek Station to inquire about the status of his payments. An argument ensued, and McCanles was shot and killed by a young James Butler Hickok, who later became known as Wild Bill Hickok
Wild Bill Hickok
James Butler Hickok , better known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a folk hero of the American Old West. His skills as a gunfighter and scout, along with his reputation as a lawman, provided the basis for his fame, although some of his exploits are fictionalized.Hickok came to the West as a stagecoach...
.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is a public agency of the government of the State of Nebraska in the United States. The commission is charged with stewardship of the state's fish, wildlife, state park, and outdoor recreation resources. The commission is also charged with issuing of state...
began development of the area as a state historical park and state recreation area in 1980. Deep trail ruts
Rut (roads)
A rut is a depression or groove worn into a road or path by the travel of wheels or skis. Ruts can be formed by wear, as from studded snow tires common in cold climate areas, or they can form through the deformation of the asphalt concrete pavement or subbase material...
can be seen on the 390 acres (1.6 km²) park complex. Many of the station's buildings have been reconstructed, other attractions include a visitor center with exhibits about pioneers along the Oregon trail and Wild Bill Hickok, hiking trails, and a campground.