White Cloud, Kansas to Omaha
Land of the Báxoje

Nestled in the far northeastern corner of Kansas, White Cloud is a small but historically rich town along the Missouri River. Named after Chief White Cloud of the Iowa Tribe, this community has played a significant role in the region’s cultural and economic history. Founded in 1857, White Cloud was once a bustling river port and trading hub, attracting steamboats and settlers heading west.

The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska (ITKN) is a sovereign nation and federally recognized tribe organized under a constitution and bylaws approved on February 26, 1937. The Tribe is also known as the Ioway or Báxoje. Headquarters are located on the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Reservation. The reservation straddles the eastern borders of the lands now known as Kansas and Nebraska, along the confluence of the Nímaha (Big Nemaha River) and Nyisoji (Missouri River). The Iowa River and the State of Iowa were named after these people.

By the time white settlers first entered Iowa in the mid-1800s, the Tribe had moved their villages to northern Missouri due to pressure and incessant warfare in Iowa between the Sioux in the northern and western parts of the state and the Sauk and Meskwaki in the southern and eastern parts of the state. The Missouri land was sold to the United States government in 1836, known as “the Platte Purchase” and moved the boundary between Missouri and Kansas along the Missouri river instead a straight line north from Kansas City. This provides the state of Missouri with its current outline.

Brownville, Nebraska, is a historic town located along the Missouri River in the southeastern part of the state. Founded in 1854, it was one of Nebraska’s earliest settlements and played a significant role in the region’s early development. Once a thriving river port and political center, Brownville saw its prominence decline with the rise of railroads that bypassed the town. Today, it is known for its well-preserved historic buildings, cultural attractions, and scenic river views. Visitors can explore sites like the Brownville Historical Society, the Governor Furnas House, and the Captain Meriwether Lewis Dredge Museum.

Nebraska City, located along the Missouri River in southeastern Nebraska, is a historic town known for its deep ties to westward expansion and agriculture. Founded in the mid-19th century, it played a key role as a river port and supply center for pioneers traveling westward. Today, Nebraska City is best known as the “Home of Arbor Day,” as it was here that J. Sterling Morton established the tree-planting holiday in 1872. The city is home to Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, the former estate of the Morton family, as well as the Arbor Day Farm, which continues to promote conservation and tree planting. Nebraska City also offers a variety of museums, including the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, which highlights the famous expedition’s journey through the region.

Visiting Omaha offers a fascinating journey through history, particularly for those interested in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center, operated by the National Park Service, provides an in-depth look at the explorers’ journey, their interactions with Indigenous nations, and the lasting impact of their expedition. Just outside, the Lewis and Clark Riverfront Sculpture Garden features striking bronze statues depicting key moments from the expedition, set against the scenic backdrop of the Missouri River. Omaha is also home to the Joslyn Art Museum, a cultural gem featuring an impressive collection of European, American, and Indigenous art, housed in a stunning Art Deco building. Nearby, the Durham Museum, located in the beautifully restored Union Station, showcases Omaha’s rich railroad and immigration history with immersive exhibits and artifacts.