Aurora was founded during the 1870s, a period of intense settlement caused by the granting of statehood to the territory in 1867 and the coming of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in 1879. Prior to settlement, thirsty pioneers stopped at the relay station well in this popular resting spot on the Nebraska City cutoff of the Oregon Trail. The well is marked by the Deepwell Ranch Monument, 5 miles south of town on SR 14. Learn More...