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Home to two Pony Express stations - the Midway on its original ranch site south of Gothenburg and the Sam Macchette station, located in Ehmen Park, just 2 miles north of I-80. The station in the park was used as a fur trading post / ranch house along the Oregon Trail southwest of Gothenburg before it was used as a Pony Express station in 1860-61. It was moved from its original site and rebuilt in Ehmen Park in 1931. The museum has been open to the public since the early 1950s. Hours are 8 am to 8 pm in summer months and 9 am to 6 pm in May and September. FREE ADMISSION
Lake
Helen Recreation Area
Gothenburg,
an All-America City, is a friendly, charming community. Comfortable
overnight accommodations are available right off I-80 at Exit
211. Tree-shaded parks feature picnic areas and playgrounds.
Fish, swim or barbecue at scenic Lake Helen. Campsites and
showers are located at Lafayette Park, adjacent to the lake.
Enjoy the paved walking path that intersects the Lake Helen
area.
Sod
House Museum
This memorial to the first settlers in the area features a
barn, sod house, windmills and life-sized barbed wire sculptures.
The barn-shaped museum houses memorabila and photographs taken
during the pioneer era. A huge plow graces the front yard
of the museum area, representing one of the few tools settlers
brought west.
Located behind the museum, this sod house is a replica of pioneer homes. The sparse interior reflects the hard times faced by pioneer families. A barbed wire buffalo and horse and Indian lend a realistic flavor to the site. Take Exit 211 off I-80 and drive one block north to relive scenes from our pioneer heritage.
Wild
Horse Golf Club
Enjoy golf on this new, nationally rated 18-hole links course
located 2 miles northwest of Gothenburg. It features huge
greens, wide fairways bordered by native grass and about sixty
bunkers. A driving range and practice greens are available
on this public access course.
Swedish
Markers of the Past
Three unusual and artistic crosses wrought from Swedish steel
by a Swedish blacksmith to mark the graves of his grandchildren.
A short drive (two miles north and two miles west) from Gothenburg
will take you to a little corner of Dawson County that is
forever Sweden.
Original
Lincoln Highway
Construction of the 3,385 mile coast-to-coast Lincoln Highway,
from New York to San Francisco, began in 1914. It followed
the section lines north of the Platte River, crossed over
the river bridge at Gothenburg and proceeded west on the south
side. In 1930 traffic was rerouted onto the new Highway 30,
now the Platte River Scenic Trails Byway.
Veterans'
War Memorial
Located on the west shore of Lake Helen, this memorial is
a reminder of sacrifices made by veterans and their families
of all wars. The names listed commemorate local residents
who gave their lives.
Walking
Tour of Historic Gothenburg
Take your own personal tour down beautiful tree-lined streets,
graced with lovely older homes and buildings. Homes on this
tour include one built in 1905 as a wedding present. Take
the tour and find out the long forgotten history. A detailed
brochure is available.
100 Motel Rooms, Bed & Breakfast and 96 Campground Sites Available
Gothenburg
Area Chamber of Commerce
Box 263-11th & Lake Avenue
Gothenburg, Nebraska 69138
(308)537-3505 1-800-482-5520
www.ci.gothenburg.ne.us
e-mail: gothenburg@alltel.net
