Ogallala, County seat in Keith County, Nebraska, United States
Ogallala is a city in Keith County, Nebraska, situated along the Union Pacific Railroad line through western Nebraska. The town sits at about 3,220 feet (982 meters) elevation and is organized around the railroad tracks that run through it.
The arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1867 transformed Ogallala into a major hub for cattle drives from Texas along the Great Western Trail. This railroad connection turned the location into a center of trade and transport that shaped the town's early growth.
The Petrified Wood Gallery displays minerals and fossils from the region, while the Fort Sedgwick Museum holds objects that tell the story of settlement and frontier life. Both places help visitors understand how people lived and what they valued in this part of Nebraska.
Ogallala sits where Interstate 80, U.S. Highway 26, and U.S. Highway 30 intersect, making it easy to reach and to travel onward to neighboring states and larger cities. These major routes connect the town to the broader region and provide convenient access for visitors.
The Ogallala Formation, which lies beneath the town and surrounding region, is named after this location and holds one of North America's largest underground water reserves. This vast aquifer supplies water to farms and communities across a wide area.
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