Dr. Charles Bessey

was a professor at the University of Nebraska who wanted to plant a forest in the middle of Nebraska. The forest he started is now part of the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey, and it is the largest hand-planted forest in the world.

Black Elk

was a Lakota Sioux holy man who traveled as part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. He told the story of his life to John G. Neihardt, who wrote a book about him.

Buffalo Soldiers

were so named by the Plains Indians. These African-American soldiers made up the 9th and 10th Cavalry and were stationed at Fort Robinson and Fort Niobrara for a time.

Solomon Butcher

was a famous photographer from Custer County. He took many pictures of pioneer life in Nebraska.

Willa Cather

was an award-winning author from Red Cloud. She loved the prairie she lived on and wrote about pioneer life in Nebraska.

Buffalo Bill Cody

lived on a ranch near North Platte. That is where he organized the very first rodeo. He also had many famous people from his Wild West show stay with him on his ranch sometimes.

Crazy Horse

was a Sioux Chief and a great warrior. He died while surrendering at Fort Robinson.

Harold "Doc" Edgerton

grew up in Fremont and Aurora. He invented new types of cameras and became famous for his stop-action photography.

Daniel Freeman

was the first homesteader to stake a claim under the Homestead Act of 1862. He claimed 160 acres of land near Beatrice.

Wild Bill Hickok

was a lawman, gambler, and gunfighter of the Old West. He had his first shootout at Rock Creek Station near Fairbury.

Andrew Jackson Higgins

designed a boat that helped win World War II. He grew up in Columbus.

Meriwether Lewis

William Clark

led an expedition through the Louisana Purchase. They spent time along the banks of the Missouri River in Nebraska.

J. Sterling Morton

was a newspaper editor, acting governor, and Secretary of Agriculture from Nebraska City. He wanted to encourage people to plant trees in the state and organized the first Arbor Day.

John G. Neihardt

was a famous author who lived in Nebraska for many years. He wrote many poems and stories. One of his books was about Black Elk, a Lakota Sioux holy man he became friends with.

Dr. Susan LaFlesche Picotte

became the first Native American woman to become a medical doctor. She helped build a hospital on the Omaha reservation to take care of her tribe.

Mari Sandoz

was a well-known author who grew up on the high plains of northwest Nebraska. She wrote about many things she experienced, and she was considered an expert on Native American culture.

Hiram Scott

worked for a fur trading company. He died in the bluffs of western Nebraska, and Scotts Bluff National Monument was named after him.

Evelyn Sharp

was a pilot who grew up in Ord. She started flying when she was 14 and helped deliver planes in World War II.

Standing Bear

was a Ponca chief who sued the U.S. Government for the right to bury his son in Nebraska. This was the first time that an Indian was recognized as a person in the eyes of the law.