A Trip Through Happy Jack Chalk Mine In Nebraska Will Take You Back In Time

Mining is definitely not something you immediately associate with Nebraska, but we do actually have one mine - and touring it is much more fun than you might imagine.

Right on the North Loup River just outside of Scotia, this cheery sign greets visitors to an unusual kind of attraction.

After paying the admission fee ($7.25 for adults, $6.00 for seniors and kids 5-12), you descend into the only underground attraction in Nebraska.

The mine's history stretches back some 6 to 10 million years, when the entire state was under a large sea.

Tiny algae-like creatures called diatoms settled on the sea bed, eventually forming a huge deposit of little diatoms that would become a soft rock called diatomite.

Over millions of years, ancient creatures burrowed through the soft diatomite, leaving fossilized burrows for humans to later find.

The diatomite was first discovered and mined in the mid-to-late 19th century. It was used as a building material, a paint additive, a cement component, and even an ingredient in chicken feed.

More than 6000 feet of caverns were carved out of the diatom deposit, leaving the fun series of tunnels you can walk through today.

After the mining activity ceased, the mine became an undeveloped tourist attraction for a while before closing due to safety concerns. A few changes in ownership and a major renovation later and it's now a fun and developed tourist attraction.

Your guided or self-guided tour will take about 30 minutes, and if you're lucky you might get to see some of the tiny brown bats that call the caverns home.

The mine remains a cool, comfortable temperature even when it's blisteringly hot outside. The combination of the quiet environment, the cool temperature, and the relative darkness make the mine a welcome refuge from the outside world.

The rest of the land on which the Happy Jack Chalk Mine sits is absolutely beautiful. Climb to the top of the "mountain" to see an unbelievable view of the lush green Loup Valley.

Only two diatomite mines were known to have existed in the United States, and Happy Jack is the only one that's open for tours. A day spent here feels like a real connection to nature and to Nebraska's past. It may not be the fanciest place you could visit, but it's a uniquely Nebraskan experience.

Happy Jack Chalk Mine's season only runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, so plan your visit accordingly.