Headed East toward Omaha (1)

Following our visit to Scotts Bluff National Monument and a quick look at the city of Scottsbluff, we finally turned back east toward Omaha and our family’s home.  FYI, from Scottsbluff Nebraska its only 30 miles west on US Hwy 26 to the Wyoming state line.

The first town we came to as we headed east on US Hwy 26 was Bayard Nebraska.  The town was named after the city of Bayard Iowa.  The first post office was established in 1888.  Bayard has never been very large, with the population topping out at 2,127 in 1920.  Today, the town has about 1,100 residents.  Although “Old” Bayard was founded in the 1880s, the entire town was picked up and moved to its current location in 1900.  Wonder why?  It was simply to be right along the new Union Pacific Railroad line…

The old Burlington Northern Railroad Depot was built in 1928 and it was abandoned by the railroad in the early 1990s.  The timing was good and I got a photo with a train passing by!  The depot has been completely refurbished and since 1994 it now serves as a community museum.  The museum is operated by local volunteers who wanted to preserve both Bayard’s and the railroad’s history.  Many local artifacts are on display…including a 100 year old cookie.  The museum is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 1 PM until 4:30 PM.

Our next stop was at the Chimney Rock National Historic Site.  It is an affiliated area of the National Park Service that is operated by “History Nebraska”.  The Abbot Visitor Center features museum exhibits, a video about the westward migrations of the pioneers…and of course, it has a gift shop.

Chimney Rock, shown beyond the Visitor’s Center, is a prominent geological rock formation near Bayard in Morrill County Nebraska.  It stands about 300 feet above the North Platte River valley.  Chimney Rock’s peak is actually 4,228 feet above sea level

Chimney Rock was a key landmark along the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails during the mid-1800s.  Prior to exploration and settlement by European immigrants, the area’s Native Americans…primarily the Lakota Sioux…would refer to this prominent formation using a term that meant “elk penis”.  The name “Chimney Rock” probably originated from early fur traders.  It was first recorded mention of “Chimney Rock” was in 1827.  At one point, a small town named Chimney Rock was established near the base of the formation.  A post office operated in that town from 1913 until 1922. 

Note: The Nebraska State Quarter was released to the public on March 2, 2006.  It features a covered wagon headed west past Chimney Rock, commemorating Nebraska’s role in westward migration. 

This is the Morrill County Courthouse in Bridgeport Nebraska.  Built in the Classical Revival/County Citadel style, it was completed in 1910 and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. 

The Union Pacific’s Division that dealt with railroad property acquisition and sales was named the Lincoln Land Company.  This company agreed to help build the courthouse if Bridgeport was named as the county seat by April 1, 1909.  The company contributed $10,000 to the project, more than half of the total cost.  Of course, the site for the courthouse was also provided by Lincoln Land Company…as this was a common railroad technique used to ensure that their rail stop was also a county seat.

Bridgeport was founded in 1899 and it took its name from a long bridge located nearby that spanned the North Platte River.  The town has about 1,450 residents, down from 1,668 in 1980.  Morrill County has a total population of roughly 4,830 and although it isn’t a huge county by Nebraska standards, it is still larger than the State of Rhode Island. 

Note: Morrill County is the 8^th largest county in Nebraska…and in total there are 10 counties in the state that are all larger than Rhode Island.

…and then it was time for lunch!  I’d chosen Frankie’s Bar and Grill in Bridgeport as our mealtime destination.  Love the exterior décor…with the late 1940s…early 1950s curved glass blocks.  Featuring pool for some and keno for gamblers…Frankie’s probably is “The Place to be” in Bridgeport. 

Frankie’s has a good size fully equipped bar that has tables for diners, plus another room for diners and the room with the pool table.  An assortment of televisions and decorative advertising signs provide the indoor décor. 

For some reason, our luncheon food photos didn’t come out clearly and they are tinged with green… In reality, the sandwiches weren’t green!  Perhaps it was the lighting?  In any case, Laurie went for the Patty Melt, a burger topped with grilled onions and Swiss cheese that was served on marble rye bread.  She told me that it was very satisfactory…nice and juicy and cooked just right.  All sandwiches come with a side, but I didn’t take a photo of Laurie’s.

I ordered Frankie’s Pastrami Pub…shaved pastrami topped with pepper jack cheese and spicy beer mustard, also on the marble rye bread.  I had potato chips for my side.  This wasn't a great choice...mediocre at best.  I should have stayed with the basics...like a burger.

Frankie’s Bar and Grill’s menu offers a plethora of dining options!  To start, there are 12 “Munchies” or appetizers to choose from, some of which are rarely seen on a menu.  There was Corn Nuggets…deep fried battered cream corn, Southwestern Egg Rolls and Rocky Mountain Oysters…seasoned, breaded and fried bull fries…”The Biggest and Best”.

Beyond the appetizers, there was a selection of chicken wings, nacho trays, specialty sandwiches, half pound gourmet burgers, salads and entrees, the latter featuring a number of steak options plus fish, pork ribs and chicken.  Frankie’s Bar and Grill is located at 909 Main Street in Bridgeport Nebraska.  Phone: 308-262-7203.  This restaurant is on Facebook at Frankies Bar and Grill - Home - Bridgeport, Nebraska - Menu, prices, restaurant reviews | Facebook.

In my next post, we continue east through Morrill County Nebraska and on to the city of Ogallala.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave