Note: Point plotted approximately 2 miles SW of Paxton
Many historical resources link Alkali Lake Station with the Pony Express. The Alkali Lake Station site is possibly two miles southwest of Paxton, in Keith County, Nebraska. Sources generally agree on its name as Alkali Lake. In the 1861 Overland Mail Company contract, the station was unnamed. (NPS)
During the great expansion west in the 1850’s and 1860’s the Alkali Station served as a rest stop and staging area for migrants and transporters. It was a home station for Pony Express riders where they could stretch and change horses. Later, it became a telegraph station. Alkali Station was an army base during the Civil War and early phases of the conflict of the Indian War, where soldiers trained and guarded travelers. It was visited by world travelers like Richard F. Burton.
Alkali Station survives as a well-preserved archaeological site because, unlike most other sections of the Overland Trail, it has never been plowed. Remains of sod buildings, walls, and corrals that were raised at the site are all visible and a broad swath of historic trail ruts can be seen leading to and past the site. Because of its importance and integrity, Alkali Station has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nebraska State Historical Society
At 5 P .M ., as the heat began to mitigate, we arrived at Alkali Lake Station, and discovered some “ exiles from Erin ,” who supplied us with antelope meat and the unusual luxury of ice taken from the Platte. We attempted to bathe in the river, but found it flowing liquid mire. The Alkali Lake was out of sight; the driver, however, consoled me with the reflection that I should “glimpse" alkali lakes till I was sick of them .