Western Trails Creative District

Ogallala is home to the Western Trails Creative District, an official Nebraska Creative District certified by the Nebraska Arts Council. Creative Districts are special cultural and economic areas where innovation flourishes and neighborhoods come together in the name of art.  See a map of the district here. 

From Ogallala's beautiful public artwork to our top-notch restaurants, bars, and brewery to our vibrant live music scene, our creative district has so much to explore and experience. Our historic movie theater is an Art Deco era beauty, and a cluster of small downtown boutiques highlight the community's Western charm.   

Ogallala offers an incredible array of beautiful artwork in public spaces, all within walkable distance. Coming in 2025: a sculpture walk! Ogallala has been selected to participate in SWAN - Sculpture Walk Across Nebraska. This new program is a collaboration of community partners that allows selected artists to exhibit sculptures in SWAN communities.

post office mural

Ogallala’s Post Office mural also depicts the town’s heritage as the railhead at the end of the Texas Trail. “Long Horns” by artist Frank Mechau was completed in 1938. It is an excellent example of the federally funded art projects of the 1930s that were created to provide employment during the Great Depression. Much of this artwork was created in small town post offices. The Post Office is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

ogallala mural

Artist Kate Jensen Witt has created several dynamic public murals located around her hometown of Ogallala. Visitors entering town from the I-80 interchange are greeted by this colorful large-scale mural depicting local history icons like the Mansion on the Hill and an Old West dance hall girl. Modern-day symbols include a sailboat and kayaker riding the waves of Lake McConaughy and a soapbox derby driver.   Witt has also painted murals downtown on the back of the Driftwood restaurant, on the side of The Watering Hole convenience store, and in the alley near Morgan Delazene’s Edward D. Jones office.

Boot at Gallery

Enjoy artwork inside and out at the Petrified Wood and Art Gallery at 418 East 1st.   This larger-than-life fiberglass boot was painted by artist Lisa Norman, and is a fitting tribute to Nebraska’s Cowboy Capital. The treasures inside include fine Western and Native American art, ancient woods, and fascinating artifacts.   

 

Dust Devil
Ogallala boasts an original sculpture by noted artist Les Bruning of Omaha. "Prairie Dust Devil" was commissioned to honor the legacy of Anne and Frank Svoboda for their contributions to the local library. 

hugh at the holidays

The Spruce Street Station is a preserved Standard Oil station built in 1922 in downtown Ogallala.  A bronze statue of “Hugh,” a friendly hometown mechanic, embodies the spirit of the Lincoln Highway era. It was a time when an attendant would pump your gas, check your oil, and wave you on your way with a smile. The Spruce Street Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Second Chapter Brewing insideWhen the City of Ogallala built a new library, Second Chapter Brewing repurposed the treasured old building as a brewery and community taproom. It still retains much of its original architectural detail and booklovers' vibes. With names like the Oga-Lager and Drunken Sentinel, many of the local brews call out the Cowboy Capital's historic past.

Rendezvous Square

Great live music is one of Ogallala's hallmarks, and many of the concerts are free to the public, courtesy of generous local sponsorship and a commitment to the arts. Watch the Keith County Chamber's Facebook page for news on artists coming to Ogallala in the summer of 2025 for Sounds on the Square, the outdoor concert series held downtown at Rendezvous Square. 
(photo credit: Rascal Martinez)