Dobytown

Sin City of the Plains

State: Nebraska County: Kearney County Founded: 1859 Abandoned: 1871 Peak Population: Transient

Dobytown (officially Kearney City) sprang up just off the military reservation of Fort Kearny to provide soldiers and travelers with whiskey, gambling, and other vices. When the fort closed and the railroad bypassed it, the town vanished.

Plan Your Visit

Best Time: Year-round

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 30 mins

Quick Facts

  • Named for adobe buildings
  • Pony Express station
  • Dissolved when railroad arrived

Location

Address: Fort Kearny State Park, NE

Coordinates: 40.6389, -99.0069