Robidoux Pass

Robidoux Pass, also known as Roubadeau Pass, Roubedeau Pass, Roubideau Pass, Roubidoux Pass and Roubadeau Pass Gap, is a gap passing through the Wildcat Hills near Scottsbluff, Nebraska about 9 miles (14 km) west of Gering, Nebraska. The gap was on the Great Platte River Road section of the historic Oregon or Emigrant Trail. It is at an elevation of 4,554 feet (1,388 m).[3] Used by thousands of emigrants to the west from 1843-1851, the pass is a National Historic Landmark.[2]

Robidoux Pass
Countryside in the pass
Nearest cityGering, Nebraska
Coordinates41.8149688°N 103.8538362°W / 41.8149688; -103.8538362
Built1848
NRHP reference No.66000450
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1966[1]
Designated NHLJanuary 20, 1961[2]

The area was named for members of the Robideau family, either Antoine or Joseph E. Robideau (also spelled Robidoux), who in the 1840s maintained a trading post east of the gap and later one at Scottsbluff. It contained blacksmith and grog shops, as well as other goods.[4] The pass lies a few miles west southwest of Scottsbluff, Nebraska in broken country south of the North Platte River and the Wildcat Hills.

Scotts Bluff blocked wagon travel along the south bank of the North Platte River, forcing early travelers to swing south and go through Robidoux Pass, a natural gateway in the great bluffs. In 1850, a shorter route was opened through Mitchell Pass, just south of the monument itself and much closer to the Platte River and eliminated the eight-mile swing south.[5]

A local road, Robidoux Road, now passes through the gap. Robidoux Pass is located south of Scotts Bluff National Monument, 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south and 8 miles (13 km) west of Gering, Nebraska off Nebraska Highway 71 on Robidoux Road.[6][7]

The site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961.[2]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. "Robidoux Pass". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
  3. Information page, U.S. Board of Geographical Names
  4. Page 147, Robidoux Chronicles: Ethnohistory of the French-American Fur Trade by Hugh M. Lewis, Trafford Publishing (July 6, 2006). trade paperback, 450 pages, ISBN 1412025702 ISBN 978-1412025706
  5. "Scotts Bluff National Monument/Mitchell Pass"
  6. Mapquest map
  7. Robidoux Pass" National Park Service website
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