Bowring Ranch State Historical Park

Bowring Ranch is a working cattle operation run as a state historical park in Nebraska's Sand Hills region, preserving traditional ranch structures from the early 1900s. The property includes a main house, visitor center, corrals, barns, and bunkhouses arranged across the landscape where livestock operations continue today.

The ranch was managed by Eva Bowring after her husband Arthur's death in 1944, and she continued running it until 1985 while also serving as a United States Senator. Her leadership during this period shaped how the operation developed and adapted to changes in ranching practices.

The main house displays collections of antique china, silver, and glass that reflect daily life on a ranch in the early 1900s. These personal objects show visitors how ranch families lived and what mattered to them during that time.

Visitors need a vehicle permit to enter the property and should plan for admission fees. Guided tours are available and help explain the different buildings and how ranching work continues on the land.

The property features a replica sod house that shows how pioneers lived in the Sand Hills region without traditional building materials. This unusual structure gives visitors insight into the extreme conditions and resourcefulness of early settlers.

Location: Cherry County

Inception: 1987

Website: https://outdoornebraska.gov/bowringranch

GPS coordinates: 42.95780,-101.67700

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:20