Along transcontinental Route 6 are many signs of the impacts of World War II and other military activities. The brick chimney, shown in this July 1998 photo, is what remains of the World War II Atlanta Prisoner-of-war camp. The 3000 German soldiers interned here were used to fill farm labor shortages in the area. Apparently one prisoner escaped, only to return voluntarily.

The former Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (now the BNSF) paralleled Route 6 through central Nebraska. Today the old depot, which is located two blocks south of Route 6, houses private businesses plus an Amtrak station.  Across the street was the Zephyr Cafe, named after the innovative early streamlined trains used first in the 1930s by the CB&Q. As of 2010 the building had become a laundramat. (left, June 2010 photo; above, September 1999 photo).