Sutherland, NE Road Trips

As is true for most small towns in the Platte River valley of Nebraska, the earliest history of Sutherland can be traced to the westward migration. The Oregon-California trail generally ran south of the South Platte river, while the Mormon trail ran north of the North Platte river. In 1843, the Oregon-California trail began to see heavy traffic, and in 1847, the first contingent of Mormons traversed the trail. O’Fallon’s Bluff, just southeast of Sutherland, was a famous landmark referred to by many travelers in their journals. In the days of the trails, the river ran along the base of the bluff. Wagons would converge in this bottle-neck from along a fairly wide path and move single-file between the bluff and the river. During the years 1858 to 1860, there was a trading post, stage station and Post Office near O’Fallon’s Bluff. By 1866, troops sent to protect the wagon trains from ambush near O’Fallon’s Bluff had established Fort Heath. In 1867, the O’Fallon’s railroad siding, depot and Post Office were built north of the river opposite the bluff. It included a trading post and saloon. In 1869, after the completion of the overland railroad, “Cody Siding” was established along the Union Pacific near the site of present-day Sutherland. Though the settlement was quite well established, it was not until 1891 that the railroad platted an official “town”. A post office was established in 1892, and the village of Sutherland, named for railroad official George Sutherland, was incorporated in 1905.

1 O'Fallon's Bluff. A section of hills along the South Platte River near Sutherland. Because the bluffs come very close to the river, early travelers were forced to traverse the bluffs above the bottom land. Some of the most clearly defined and well preserved remnants of the Oregon-California Trail remain here as evidence of the great westward migration of the mid-nineteenth century. Ruts can clearly be seen at the eastbound Interstate 80 rest area one mile east of the Sutherland interchange. On the National Register of Historic Sites. Sutherland State Aid Bridge, 30 onto East County Rd. The significance of this bridge to the history of Nebraska bridge building can hardly be overstated. This remarkable structure is significant as perhaps the best remaining example of the state aid bridges. Although some 77 structures were built throughout the state under this program between 1912 and 1936, only 17 remain in use. The Sutherland Bridge is also technologically significant as the best example in the state of concrete arch construction. Moreover, of the 17 multiple-span concrete arch bridges built under the state aid program in the 1910s and 1920s, all but the Sutherland Bridge have been destroyed or substantially altered, leaving this structure as the sole intact example of this important construction trend. Located five miles north of Sutherland on Prairie Trace Road.

Sutherland 4th of July Celebration. Held annually on July 3 & 4. The celebration features kids' games and races, a parade, a community barbecue, and rodeo. Sutherland Public Schools. The center of the community. Known as the "Sailors" (the only known mascot of its kind), Sutherland athletes compete in football, volleyball, cross-country running, wrestling, basketball, track and golf. If you're looking for the locals on a Friday night during the fall and winter, look either in the gym or the football field. Seifer Farms, 1442 S. Seifer Rd, ☏ +1 308-386-2394. This family farm specializes in free-range chickens, but they also maintain a Sporting Clays Range and offer hunts for prairie dogs, turkey, waterfowl, upland game and deer. Sutherland Reservoir (five miles south of Sutherland on Highway 25). This 3,000 acre reservoir offers fishing and water sports. Flat Rock Riders OHV Park (about 4 miles south of Sutherland on Highway 25). This 15-acre park features two trails, one for motocross and one for ATVs. It is a "ride at your own risk" park. City Parks. The Railroad Park is located between Highway 30 and the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks. It features picnic areas, a covered shelter, horseshoe pits and playground. It is the site of the BBQ Lunch during the Sutherland 4th of July celebration. The Pool Park is on the west edge of Sutherland, across from Maline's Super Foods. It features a half-Olympic size swimming pool, sand volleyball courts, playground and two baseball/softball fields. Oregon Trail Golf Course, ☏ +1 308-386-4653.

Sno-A-White, ☏ +1 308-386-2459. Drive-in first opened in 1951. It is open from early spring through fall and now has a dining area in addition to walk-up windows Maline's Super Foods, 100 South West County Rd, ☏ +1 308-386-4757. Has a deli serving hot meals at lunch. Hi-Line Coop, 1000 First St, ☏ +1 308-386-4402. Fixes breakfast sandwiches, and deli sandwiches for lunch.

Longhorn Bar, 930 First St, ☏ +1 308-386-2327. Frequent Karaoke, live bands on special occasions, pitch tournaments.

1 Park Motel, 1110 First St, ☏ +1 308 386-4384. Sutherland Reservoir, ☏ +1 308-386-4653. About two miles south of Sutherland on Highway 83. Check in at the Oregon Trail Golf Course. Oregon Trail Mobile Estates, 31599 W. Park Rd, ☏ +1 308 386-4379. From Highway 30, go north on West County Road to Park Road, turn west and go approximately one-quarter mile. Turn right into what looks like a Mobile Home Park. Near the north edge are camping facilities.

The primary means of getting to Sutherland is Interstate 80, which runs east-west; US 25 comes into Sutherland from the south. Highway 30, named the Lincoln Highway Scenic Byway, runs east-west. Lincoln is 3.5 hours east on I-80; Cheyenne is 3.5 hours west on I-80; Denver is 3.5 hours west on I-80 and I-76. North Platte Regional Airport (LBF IATA) with connecting flights from Denver International Airport.

The easiest way to get around Sutherland is by car. The town is small enough that it is easy to walk around or use a bicycle.