This site was last updated on 30 September 2005 (Ver. 1.1)
October 8, 2005
Beaver Crossing, Nebraska
Archaeology, GIS, and Geophysical
Approaches in Trails Research
hosted by the Pariset family and Paul Demers
Please RSVP to Paul Demers
office: (402) 472-8872 cell: (402) 499-7055 e-mail: pdemers2@unl.edu
9:00 A.M.: Rendezvous at the Pariset farm - coffee and pastry 9:30-10:00 Am.: Orientation and opening remarks 10:00 A.M.-12:00 noon: Tour of the Beaver Creek trail crossing site 12:00 noon-1:00
P.M.:
Lunch on site
(Please pack a lunch as it will be difficult and time consuming to get back and forth from the town of Beaver
Crossing) 1:00-4:30 P.m.: On-site activities - archaeological excavation, trails recording with GIS, and geophysical survey 5:00-6:00 P.M.: BBQ at the Pariset farm 6:00-7:00 P.m.: OCTA-NE chapter business meeting
The business meeting will be short. There are several perfunctory procedures that need perfunctorized. Because most fun people hate business meetings, we will not spend a lot of time at it. For efficiency, if you have something that needs to be brought up officially, please let Loren know in advance. The BBQ will be provided, but you must RSVP to Paul. He has done a lot of work at this site, and we are looking forward to seeing all of you there.
For those interested in driving the trail route back home on Sunday, the county road network can be driven following the Nebraska City Road. This route basically runs due west from Beaver Crossing paralleling the Interstate to the Doniphan area. Then the road follows along the south edge of the Platte before intersecting with the Independence Road northwest of the Susan Hail grave in northwest Adams County. It should only add a couple hours to driving time via the Interstate. Another option might be to drive county roads following the Independence Road from the Nebraska-Kansas border to Ft. Kearny as marked on Franzwa's Maps of the Oregon Trail. This will probably take about six hours plus stops to view markers. Beware this stretch has many markers. Get a Delorme map book of Nebraska, and if you have any questions, Steve or Carole Meyer can show you which roads to take.
Driving Directions From the east or west via 1-80:
Take Exit 369 Beaver Crossing. At the end of the exit, go south. (If coming from the east, turn left and cross the overpass; if coming from the west, this a right turn.) Continue south on this paved road (named "420" or "L80E") The first gravel road you come to is "0" Street. Turn left (east) on "0" Street. The next road you will come to is "406" Road. Turn right (south) onto "406" Road. Continue approximately one-half mile. The Pariset farm is on your right.
From the south via US-81:
Proceed north to Hwy 6 around the Fairmont, NE area. Take Hwy 6 east towards Friend, NE. Near Friend, head north on "L80E" towards Beaver Crossing. Continue north, past the town of Beaver Crossing, to "0" Street. Turn right (east) on "0" Street. The next road you will come to is "406" Road. Turn right (south) onto '1406" Road. Continue approximately one-half mile. The Pariset farm will be on your right.
From the south via US-77:
Proceed north to Hwy 41 west, until it deadends into Hwy 15. Take Hwy 15 north, until it deadends into Hwy
6/33. Go west on Hwy 6/33 towards Friend, NE. Near Friend, head north on "L80E" towards Beaver Crossing.
Continue north, past the town of Beaver Crossing, to "0" Street. Turn right (east) on "0" Street. The next road you
will come to is "406" Road. Turn right (south) onto "406" Road. Continue approximately one-half mile. The
Pariset farm will be on your right.
