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Visit historic Morrill, home of the famed Horse Creek Treaty site of 1851, the first treaty between the government and Native Americans to be covered by the press. Tensions were high in September 1851 when fur trader Thomas Fitzpatrick, assisted by the famous missionary Father DeSmet, organized a meeting to try and resolve their differences. More than 10,000 Plains Indians representing 10 tribes attended the meeting originally meant to transpire at Fort Laramie. However, the size of the crowd prompted officials to move the caucus to nearby Horse Creek, a tributary of the North Platte River near the Nebraska-Wyoming border. The historical markers are located four miles west of Morrill on Highway 26 and tell the story of the Horse Creek Treaty. Get in touch with the spirit of those who drafted and signed the treaty, a document that established peace between Native Americans and whites, at least for a while. Afterwards, stop by city hall and get a free permit to go fishing at Morrill's sandpit lakes, or take advantage of the public golf course, ball field, tennis courts, sand volleyball pit, swimming pool, basketball courts or the town's museum. If you happen to be visiting on the third Saturday in July, you will be delighted to take part in the town's annual Horse Creek Rendezvous, a day-long festival featuring entertainment for the whole family, including a car show, kids games, barbecue lunch and street dance.
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