This image brings us back to the card presented two weeks ago which showed a cropped form of this same image, which is similar to yesterday’s photo, but there are slight posture differences indicating they were two separate photos.
The description states:
SIOUX INDIANS
Ogallala, Nebraska, “Land of the Sioux”
Sioux Chief Whitecalf and his troup of Indian dancers. These Sioux Indians return every summer to Ogallala, once the hunting ground of the Ogallala tribe. Visitors to Nebraska may see these Indians in native costume perform their ceremonial, “war, snake, buffalo, hoop,” and other dances.
–As there is a clear progression in age among the children, it appears that these are family members of Chief Whitecalf, and not merely members of the Ogallala band.
Dancing for tourists has fallen out of popularity with the rise of Indian self-determination in the 1970s, and such performances are now considered exploitative.
This card was used and is dated 13 June 1956.
Tag: postcard
Sioux Indian Dancers, Ogallala, Nebraska
This image is of a famous family of Ogallala Lakota Sioux, led by the older man named Chief Whitecalf. They ran the Sioux Trading Post shown previously, and presented Native American dances for travelers.
The description states:
SIOUX INDIANS
Ogallala, Nebraska, “Land of the Sioux”
Sioux Chief Whitecalf and his troup of Indian dancers. These Sioux Indians return every summer to Ogallala, once the hunting ground of the Ogallala tribe. Visitor to Nebraska may see these Indians in native costume perform their ceremonial, “war, snake, buffalo, hoop,” and other dances.
–The dances originally had a very intimate and profound cultural significance, but were performed in simplified form for the money it would provide from tourists.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Sioux Trading Post, Ogallala, Nebraska
This business is a typical feature of the highways of the far West in mid-century America. Indian trading posts, as they were called, appeared anywhere there was an opportunity for the local Native Americans to set up a shop, a gas station or eatery for passing travelers. This one, located in Ogallala Sioux territory, was built and run by Ogallala Native Americans.
The description states:
SIOUX TRADING POST
On U. S. Highway No. 30
Ogallala, Nebraska
In the land of the Sioux Indian visited annually by thousands of guests from all sections of the country. Sioux Indians in Native stoma entertain guests of Nebraska with Ceremonial Dances, adding to the enjoyment of young and old.
–The cars visible in this image clearly indicate this photo dates from the 1950s.
Crystal Palace Revue, Ogallala, Nebraska
This image shows some high-kicking dancers, a piano player and a hostess who make up part of the Crystal Palace Revue, a re-enactment of musical entertainment from the 19th Century.
The description states:
THE CRYSTAL PALACE REVUE
Front Street, Ogallala, Nebraska
You’ll be treated to high-kicking can-can girls twice nightly all summer at Front Street’s famous Crystal Palace Saloon. These family shows with a true western flavor are attended by thousands each summer from every state in the Union and many foreign countries.
–This show apparently also includes a gun fight in its current incarnation. This card likely dates from the 1960s.
Front Street Stage, Ogallala, Nebraska
This image shows a small group of performers at the historical attraction in Ogallala, Nebraska. It is a recreation of a pioneer western town typical of the region, with re-enactors presenting activities and entertainment from that time.
The description states:
FRONT STREET
Ogallala, Nebraska
Ogallala became Nebraska’s “Cowboy Capitol” when it was the end of the Texas Trail Drives from 1875-1885. Today that colorful history lives on at “Front Street”. This western attraction includes a Cowboy Historical Museum, Stage Coach Rides, and the famous Crystal Palace Revue, Nebraska’s only Summer Stock Theatre.
–The Front Street attraction was built along the street which provided the throughway for old U.S. 30, and thus had many people driving by. When the Interstate became more popular, fewer cars went directly past, and attendance dropped. In 2013, the attraction was auctioned, but there were no bidders. It remains for sale today.
This card likely dates from the 1960s.
Polled Hereford Cattle Grazing, Nebraska
This image shows a decent sized herd of Hereford cattle, called polled because their horns are absent due to a natural genetic mutation.
The description states:
Cattle grazing on the range in the sandhills of Nebraska.
NEBRASKA — “The Cornhusker State”
White Face Cattle, Typical Scene of one of the largest cattle ranches in the world.
–This image likely dates from the 1960s.
Interstate 80 Rest Stop, Nebraska
This image shows the typical shelters and parking area common to rest stops along the Interstate Highway system. These are in fact custom, and not nationally standard, as each state has its own contracts to build the rest areas.
The description states:
Interstate 80 in Nebraska has many beautiful rest areas for the comfort and convenience of travelers.
–The shelter in the foreground has a bench were travelers have apparently deposited some of their belongings, and there is a fire pit on a stand just to the left of the brick wall. The cars in the image indicate this card is from the 1960s.
Chimney Rock, Bayard, Nebraska
This formation is styled Chimney Rock for it’s narrow pointed shape on top of a larger rounded base, much like a remaining chimney after a house fire or collapse. It was taller when first viewed by migrants along the Oregon Trail, but erosion and lightning strikes have affected it’s primary peak.
The description states:
Standing alone in the vast prairie, Chimney Rock, near Bayard in Western Nebraska, guided the weary Oregon Trail travelers. Now a national monument, this wind-eroded sentinel serves as a landmark for the modern-day vacationers, reminding them of Nebraska’s rich pioneer past.
–The Oregon Trail was the main route for migrants heading into and through the Great Plains and Great Basin, many of whom went all the way to the west coast.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Jail and Courthouse Rocks, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska
Another formation near the previously mentioned Wildcat Hills are Jail and Courthouse Rock, butte formations from the same eroded escarpment. They are located near the town of Bridgeport, Nebraska.
The description states:
JAIL AND COURTHOUSE ROCKS – were the first imposing landmarks seen by pioneers in their trek along the Oregon and Mormon trails. Located near Bridgeport, theses wind carved sentinels were named by travelers for their similarity to a jail and court-house they remembered near their eastern homes.
–It is more likely that the bulk of the erosion was by water over the course of millions of years. The attributions are just as likely to be the product of vivid imagination as having any particular structure as a reference.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Nebraska’s Wildcat Hills
This image shows a portion of the escarpment named the Wildcat Hills, found in the western Nebraska panhandle between the North Platte River and Pumpkin Creek. They are part of a large area with such forested buttes and mesas, including Scotts Bluff.
The description states:
“Nebraska’s beautiful Wild-Cat Hills” near Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Deer, buffalo and other animals live here protected on the game reserve.
–The buffalo referred to are in fact American Bison, and not mentioned is the significant mountain lion population that populates this area of Nebraska and no other.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.