Built by Louis Gurnard in 1858-59, Old Platte Bridge stood just north and east of the sites of Platte Bridge Station, the first Overland Telegraph station, stage station, and Pony Express station on the Old Oregon Trail. One-half mile north and west across the North Platte River, on the tableland, the Platte Bridge fight occurred on July 26, 1865, in which Lt. Caspar W. Collins of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and Privates George W. McDonald of Company I, George Camp and Sebastian Nehring of Company K, all of the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, were killed. Also killed the same day near here were Privates James A. Porter and Adam Culp, both of Company I, 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry.