US Highway 281

Gigantic shamrock on Hwy 281 Nebraska

O'Neill, Nebraska population +/- 3,500. The largest permanent shamrock in the World, is here at the intersection of Hwy 20 & US Hwy 281. Made of colored concrete this shamrock is so large it can be seen with Google's Satellite View. O'Neill is the official "Irish Capital of Nebraska". Named after its founder, an Irish born American who brought three groups of people from Ireland to Nebraska during the 1870s. Enjoy some "Blarney". The word blarney has come to mean clever, flattering, or coaxing talk. - Source: Wikipedia®.

Can Do spirit on US Hwy 281 North Dakota

Cando, North Dakota. This town has around 1,000 hardy citizens. I say that because the City proclaims the founders had the "Can Do Spirit". "... and in virtue of our authority we select this location and name the town 'Cando' to show you that we can do it." ~ Captain Prosper Parker, February 14, 1884. I believe them. The weather up here on the Northern end of US Hwy 281 can get bone deep COLD. It reminds me of that old saying, "Can't do it, Can't stay."

US Highway 281 Texas

Wide open spaces on ND Hwy 281.

New Rockford, ND with 1,200 residents in this pretty little town, founded in 1883. US Highway 281 crosses the James River on the North side of town, where the Memorial Park is located. A heated swimming pool, basketball courts, softball, picinic areas, overnight camping, and a children's play area for all to enjoy.

Miss Kansas and all that in Pratt.

Pratt, Kansas close to 7,000 folks live here, founded in 1884. We are at the intersection of US Highway 281 and the East/West routes of Highway 54/400 in the south-central part of Kansas. The Miss Kansas Parade and Contest is held here each year. Home to the mighty Greenbacks, (a bullfrog is the HS mascot) along with the Pratt Community College Beavers. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy.

Pole Art in Hoisington, KS on US Hwy 281

 Hoisington, Kansas, around 3,000. North of Great Bend on Highway 281, intersected with Highway 4. A rich history as a railroad town, and agriculture community. One really unique feature of this town is the pole art. Hand-crafted, original metal artworks created by local artist Bruce Bitter adorn 62 poles along Hoisington’s Main Street. Take the Pole Art Walking Tour around town.

There are a couple of beautiful murals downtown as well, one on a Main Street building and a Depression Era mural inside the Post Office, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Check out the Sundial at the City Building of Hoisington, on the building’s facade as part of a WPA project in 1939. Can people really tell time with one of these? Home twice a year to the Whooping Cranes as they migrate. Here is the Gateway to Cheyenne Bottoms, the area is a vast hunting and fishing paradise.