It wouldnʼt surprise us to learn these youngsters pictured participating in the 1972 Oregon Trail Days will be back in Oak on Saturday helping with the 2022 retelling of the stories from 1864. A sign on their coaster wagon said their horse had died but they planned to make it to Oak or bust.
This picture first appeared in a September 1971 newspaper reporting on that yearʼs Oregon Trail Day Celebration at Oak. That newspaper reported the pictured windmill had been restored by Lavern Hutchinson and placed in the Oak Park shortly before that yearʼs celebration. This year, one of the prizes to be given away during the re-enactments is Bowie-style knife made by Lavernʼs grandson, Jeff Hutchinson. The windmill was located across the street from Hutchinsonʼs blacksmith shop. Hutchinson was not only the operator of main street shop but he also served as a Nuckolls county commissioner. While not historically significant, Oak area youngsters appeared to have had a goodtime taking turns riding on the dunking tank board.
Since the Nebraska Centennial was observed in 1967, members of the northeastern Nuckolls County Community of Oak have enlisted the aid of friends and neighbors and tried to preserve and share the community's historical heritage.
Oak is located on what was a major transcontinental trade route in the middle of the 19th century. Both the Pony Express and Oregon trails passed through Oak, likely right down the center of what was to become the community's main street.
A former proprietor of an Oak saloon once told a reporter for this newspaper, the trails the people drew to Oak were key to the success of her business.
At regular intervals since the state centennial, Oak has repeated the celebration format which includes activities within the community and reenactments of historically significant events along the trail. All are designed to preserve and share the area's history.
These celebrations are now occurring on four-year intervals. And this Saturday is the time picked for the 2022 rendition.
On Reenactment Saturday, the population of Oak is expected to swell to several times normal and sponsors have been issuing traffic warnings. Expected visitors are being told to slow down as they approach the community and to read and obey the traffic signs.
All vehicles going on the tour must enter the lineup on the far east street which is officially named Lincoln Street.
Those entering Oak via the paved state spur which connects with Highway 4 are advised to slow down before rounding the curve as Lincoln Street is the first street on their right.
If entering Oak from the west, visitors are advised to travel across town to find Lincoln Street.
A limited number of vehicles will be allowed on each tour and a per person fee must be paid before being allowed to join the line. Whenever possible, car pooling is suggested to help relieve congestion on the trail.
The guided tours will line up near the Oak Community Church. The first tour will depart about 11 a.m. with subsequent tours departing in one-hour intervals as needed. While waiting for the tour to depart, visitors are encouraged to go into the church where there will be a PowerPoint presentation developed by the Eubanks descendants, one the families caught in the 1864 Indian Raids.
The totally renovated King's Daughters 1908 library and the Heritage Rooms located in the former Oak school will be open for inspection.
Loom weaving will be demonstrated in the former Oak barber shop. There will be a number of pioneer demonstrations including broom making and butter churning.
Antique automobiles and farm machinery will be on display. There will be afternoon entertainment in the Oak Park and music after the pit beef barbecue. Barbecue serving will begin at 5 p.m.
There will be free inflatables and a kids' tractor pull. There will be archery and BB gun target shooting opportunities along with a craft fair.
Prior to the 1972 celebration, LaVern Hutchinson, an operator of the Oak Blacksmith Shop, restored and erected in the park an antique windmill. For this year's celebration, his grandson, Jeff Hutchinson, has made a Bowie-style knife that will be given away about 7 p.m.
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