Loup Rivers Scenic Byway
Happy Jack Peak and Chalk Mine, NE

Happy Jack Chalk Mine and Peak allows you to enjoy the beauty of the North Loup River Valley on top of Happy Jack Peak (2000 ft.) and to experience the only publicly accessible room and pillar mine in North America. The Happy Jack Chalk Mine began operation in 1877 with miners carving tunnels and cavers who dug for chalk rock which lies below ground. The mined ceased operation shortly after WWII, but today you can descend to the mine which allows you to explore about 460 of the 6,000 feet of honeycombed caverns. This experience will not only take you back in time to the mining era of Nebraskan history, but also to the time when much of Nebraska was covered by an inland sea. Fossilized remains of sea creatures can be seen among the many sediments of the cave. Happy Jack Chalk Mine gets its name from Jack Swearengen who built a dugout on the side of the hill. He helped new settlers in the area, and became known as Happy Jack because of his cheerful personality. Hiking, picnicking, wildlife, and plant viewing are some of the outdoor experiences you'll find here.