Mitchell Pass facts for kids
Mitchell Pass is a natural opening, or gap, found between tall bluffs (steep cliffs) near the towns of Scottsbluff and Gering in Nebraska. Starting in 1851, this gap became an important pathway for people traveling west on trails like the Oregon Trail and California Trail. The Pony Express, which delivered mail quickly, also used Mitchell Pass in the early 1860s. Today, this historic area is protected as part of Scotts Bluff National Monument, so everyone can learn about its past.
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History of Mitchell Pass
Even though Mitchell Pass is a natural opening between South Bluff and Scotts Bluff, it wasn't always easy to travel through. At first, the main path for pioneers, known as the Great Platte River Road, went south of these bluffs through a different spot called Robidoux Pass.
Why Mitchell Pass Became Popular
Around 1850, a new road was built through Mitchell Pass. After this, the pass quickly became the favorite route for travelers. It was better than Robidoux Pass because it was shorter. Plus, it kept travelers closer to the North Platte River, which was a very important source of water for both people and their animals. We don't know for sure who built this road, but some people think soldiers from Fort Laramie might have done it.
The northern branch of the Great Platte River Road, often called the Mormon Trail, did not use Mitchell Pass. Instead, it went much further north of the bluffs, staying on the other side of the North Platte River.
Communication Through the Pass
Mitchell Pass was not just for pioneers. The Pony Express, a famous mail service that used riders on horses, also traveled through this gap. Later, the very first first transcontinental telegraph wires were laid through Mitchell Pass, connecting the country with fast communication.
How Mitchell Pass Got Its Name
For a long time, during the pioneer days, this gap wasn't called Mitchell Pass. People knew it by other names like "Devil's Gap" (because of the strong, howling winds) or simply "The Gap." It only became known as Mitchell Pass after a nearby army post, Fort Mitchell, was built in 1864.
Modern Highway Through the Pass
Today, a part of Nebraska Highway 92 now runs through Mitchell Pass. This highway connects Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and continues west towards the Wyoming border.
