Statues cast in bronze and stainless steel pay homage to the many courageous and adventurous souls who laid the foundations of a nation.
Pioneer Courage Park is one of the largest sculpture parks of its kind in the U.S. The park in Downtown Omaha serves as a tribute to pioneers, tracing their journey with statues of westward wagons and families venturing into unfamiliar territory. Inspect the artistic portrayals of humans, animals and wagons to imagine the ins and outs of their journeys.
Walk beside the large sculptures to understand the many stages of the voyage west. The artistic pieces were put together by sculptors Blair Buswell and Edward Fraughton. Marvel at Buswell’s Wagon Master, representing the wagon that guided the rest of the pioneers and was responsible for supplies and management of the group.
Among the most vital and difficult duties of the wagon trains were hunting and food provision, as depicted by Fraughton’s Hunter Group. Understand the struggles of the sculpted figures, as they appear to strain to push their wagons uphill or feed their families. Their many burdens are etched in the lines on the faces of these pioneers.
Admire the use of plants and trees on a rocky mound in the center of the park, a green presence amid the skyscrapers of Omaha’s business district. At night, lights in and around the park illuminate the sculptures.
Check out the adjacent Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness Park, comprising 67 works by artist Kent Ullberg. Among them are depictions of bulls, cows and Canada geese taking flight.
Note how some of the bronze sculptures adorn the surrounding buildings and street signs. The park is open to the public at all times and free to enter.
Pioneer Courage Park is at the core of the Downtown Omaha district. Arrive at one of the bus stops surrounding the park, which is a 10-minute drive east from the University of Nebraska Omaha.
Visit other nearby sights including the Gene Leahy Mall, the Holland Performing Arts Center and the Lewis & Clark Landing.
