Nebraska City's Steam Wagon

In July 1862, a noisy, smoke-belching machine known as the ‘Prairie Motor’ rolled into Nebraska City. Though its journey lasted only three miles before a fateful breakdown, its legacy would reshape the trails of the American West.

On today’s episode, we discover the story behind this ten-ton vehicle from the 1998 Nebraska History Magazine article, “Nebraska City’s Steam Wagon,” written by William E. Lass.