Fort Kearny State Historical Park, 1020 V Road, about 8 miles west of Lowell (Kearney mailing address), preserves the site of the fort built in 1848 to protect travelers on the Oregon–California Trail, later a Pony Express home station. It has a reconstructed stockade, parade ground, powder magazine and blacksmith/carpenter shop on about 40 acres. The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset; the interpretive center, which serves as the crane information center in spring, is open daily March 3–April 13 (9 to 5) and May 1–October 5 (10 to 4), and by appointment the rest of the year. Admission $5 adults, $1 ages 3–12, plus a park entry permit. Phone (308) 865-5305.