Early Campsites and River Crossings
Native American hunters on the trail of bison and other game found a favorite river crossing and campsite here where the South Platte River and Lodgepole Creek come together. After burning the first Julesburg in 1865, Indian raiders camped here before continuing north into the Powder River country. Pioneers traveling the Overland Routes named this popular ford the Upper California Crossing.A branch of the Overland Route paralleled Lodgepole Creek into Nebraska. This waterway is possibly the longest "creek" in the United States, flowing over 150 miles from its origin in the mountains of Wyoming to join the South Platte River. The width of the Lodgepole Valley suggests that the creek was once much larger than the quiet stream seen here today.
Marker is on U.S. 138 just east of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
