Heritage Highway
Republican River, NE

The Republican River is an important aspect of the Heritage Highway from Superior to Edison. There are many recreational opportunities, such as swimming and fishing, and one of the most popular is to go tubing down the river. The river got its name from the nickname for the Pawnees, as a historical marker about 150 miles down river in Kansas says. "Long before white men settled here the region was the home of the Pawnee Indians. The French traders in the late 1700s named those along the river the Republican Pawnees..." This influenced towns in both Kansas and Nebraska.

Republican City in Nebraska takes it name from this scenic river as it follows the Heritage Highway. In addition to the many recreational opportunities along the Republican River, the Harlan County Lake is an important part of the river and provides visitors with many opportunities to fish, camp, and swim. Friendly Nebraska towns follow the river and visitors will be greeted by neighborly folks.