Some of Nebraska's most notable history happened along the historic pioneer trails. The Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails all passed through here, and those travelers left their mark on the state. One traveler, in particular, continues to captivate more than 165 years after her death.
This is the grave of Rebecca (Burdick) Winters, who was born in New York in 1799. After marrying Hiram Winters and later converting to Mormonism, Sarah and her family set out on the journey that would be her last.
Rebecca, Hiram, and a group of other Mormon pioneers set out from Nauvoo, Illinois to travel west. Rebecca contracted cholera while in what is now western Nebraska and died on August 15, 1852. This, sadly, was not an unusual story; some 6,000 travelers died along the Mormon Trail. What is unusual, though, is the way the grave was marked and preserved.
Rebecca was buried on the side of the trail. The story passed down through generations says that the party lined the bottom of the grave with wood salvaged from old wagons, but there was not enough to make a coffin. So Rebecca was wrapped in a quilt and carefully placed in the grave in a somber ceremony. A friend who was traveling with the family carved her name and age on a metal wagon wheel. The wheel was partially buried so it stuck up as a grave marker.
The grave was largely forgotten for a while. Once pioneers no longer traveled through on foot, the site wasn't as highly trafficked. Local folks knew it was there, but it was mostly left alone until the late 19th century. The grave was rediscovered when the Burlington & Missouri Railroad was laying tracks in the area. They rerouted the tracks to avoid disturbing the grave, and thousands of people began to visit the understated site.
Winters' descendants erected a monument on the site in 1902. In 1995, the grave was moved to a safer location further away from the tracks. Historical markers and a protective fence have been added through the years to keep Rebecca's grave safe and pass on the story of her life and the lives of other Mormon pioneers.
Although thousands of travelers died and were buried along the trails, very few marked gravesites remain. Rebecca Winters' grave serves as a monument not only to this one woman, but to all pioneers who sacrificed, suffered, and ultimately met their demise while searching for a better life. It's a place of contemplation and reverence where we can ponder the contributions those brave travelers made to our country.
As of the time of publication, Rebecca's descendants are considering the possibility of relocating the grave once again. The current site of the memorial has degraded over the years and may be dangerous to travelers. One possible future location for the memorial is the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering - a fitting final resting place for this pioneer woman.
There is no exact address for Rebecca Winters' grave, but it's near the Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center. From there, head east on Old Oregon Trail Road and continue east through Gering. About a half-mile after you leave Gering, turn north on 21st Avenue. You'll then cross the North Platte River. Turn east (right) at the first intersection onto South Beltline. After South Beltline crosses the railroad tracks, turn right into the entrance to the gravesite. There should be a small sign beside the road denoting the location, and most locals will be happy to help if you need additional guidance.
Have you ever visited this unique historical site? Tell us all about your experiences in the comments!
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