French and Spanish explorers and traders were in Council Bluffs for almost a century before the Lewis and Clark expedition stayed five days at White Catfish Camp, known today as Long's Landing. Lewis and Clark later met with Missouri Indians and Otoe Indians 10 miles north of Omaha. This historic council in the bluffs provided the model for future meetings with Indians and the name of our city. The history of Council Bluffs glitters with a parade of famous western explorers, fur traders, military figures, engineers, and great Indian nations. Abraham Lincoln had the foresight to realize Council Bluffs should be the eastern terminus of the transcontinental railroad. Known as the Gateway of the American West, Council Bluffs has a proud and rich history. Today, Council Bluffs' businesses make a national and international impact. Local industry includes frozen foods, robotics, dairy products, plastics, railroading, electrical products, and pork and beef packaging, among many other industries. Recent changes in state law allowed gambling expansion, boosting the local economy and providing hundreds of new jobs.  Council Bluffs is the Pottawattamie County Seat and has a current population of roughly 61,000.  Connected to the Omaha metro area, you’re only a short distance away from the acclaimed Henry Doorly Zoo, Eppley Airfield, TD Ameritrade Park (Home of the Men’s NCAA College World Series), and much, much more.

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Mineola is an unincorporated village in Mills County with a population around 160.  This community on the highlands east of Keg Creek was first established as Lewis City during construction of the Wabash Railroad. The land had previously been owned by German immigrant freighter Louis Lanz and Germans long dominated the community. St. John's Lutheran Church was established in 1883 on the hill overlooking town. The original church closely mirrored the church at Giekau in Schleswig-Holstein from where many settlers had originated. During the early 20th century Mineola had grown into an important local shipping point with an opera house, hotel, the Mills County German Bank, and other associated businesses. The present Mineola Community Center began as Joe Deitchler's pool hall in 1916 and was converted into the Palisades Ballroom in 1934 by Roy Wasserman. The Palisades featured a variety of famous performers, including the Lloyd Hunter Orchestra of North Omaha, Nebraska, and Lawrence Welk, along with movies, bingo, and school programs with a saloon and lunchroom in front. A branch of the Glenwood State Bank still operates here, as does the Mineola Steakhouse. In recent years the village has become a bedroom community of Omaha in what is still a largely rural area. Mineola is the first major stop on the Wabash Trace southeast of Council Bluffs, and current home of the infamous “Thursday Night Taco Ride”.

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Silver City is another Mills County town with a population of roughly 245. The town had its start in the year 1879 by the building of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway (which would later become the Wabash Trace).  Silver City was named for Silver Creek, which runs along the east side of town.  Downtown features a small park with a gazebo, a library, fire department, bar & restaurant called “The Hood”, and a restored service station with memorabilia.  Happy Trails Cycle is located trailside and offers minor bike repairs, tubes, refreshments and more!  They also put daily trail condition updates on their Facebook Page!  Silver City was the original destination for the Taco Ride nearly 20 years ago, but it was changed to Mineola due to a business closure at the time.