D.A. Murphy Panhandle Arboretum 

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Site Context: The D.A. Murphy Arboretum comprises approximately 40 acres of landscaped grounds and research plots at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center and adjacent State Office Complex. The site is defined along its north edge by an irrigation canal and the Scottsbluff Country Club, along its west and south edges by agriculture research plots; and on its east edge by Highway 71 which separates the Arboretum from a few houses and additional agricultural ground. 

Two main buildings help define the complex. One is the State of Nebraska Office Complex. The other building, the University of Nebraska Complex, which is much larger, houses the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center, the University of Nebraska Panhandle Education Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Western Division. Various agricultural, education and nursing faculty and support staff are located in this building. Large parking lots, both paved and unpaved, exist east and south of both buildings. 

The University of Nebraska Complex exists on very flat North Platte River valley ground that is well-suited to agricultural purposes. The open surroundings afford a beautiful view of the nearby bluff escarpments which make up Scotts Bluff National Monument. The original use of the Extension Center and State Office Complex was as the Hiram Scott College, a private liberal arts school that opened in 1962. Financial constraints forced the closing of the college after just a few years of operation. In 1974, the buildings and grounds were acquired by the University of Nebraska and converted to its present use. The college’s main academic building, now known as the J.G. Elliott Building, was converted for use by the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center, while Hiram Scott’s student services building became the State Office Complex. Four large dormitories that flanked the student center have since been removed. 

Although some trees were planted when the college opened, landscaping efforts focused primarily on maintaining a lush, bluegrass lawn. After the Research and Extension Center opened, discussions soon began on ways of improving the landscape, including planting a greater variety of trees and shrubs and using some areas for landscape demonstrations. 

Landscaping efforts at the Research Center got a boost in 1980 when a landscape design plan was prepared by Kim Todd, the landscape architect for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This plan helped delineate areas of landscape concentration and gave focus to the staff’s landscaping efforts. Enough progress was made that by 1984, the site was designated as an arboretum by Extension Center staff. Efforts to affiliate with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum soon followed and in August 1985, the site was officially designated as an affiliate of NSA. 

Site evaluations and further landscape design plans were prepared with assistance of NSA in the mid 1980s. These plans served as the basis for a written master plan that was adopted in 1988. Staff at the Research Center have since been diligent in using the master plan as a guide for further landscape refinement, which is strongly reflected in the beautiful landscape that surrounds the Research and Extension Center today. 

The D.A. Murphy Arboretum owes its present beauty to many people who have generously provided leadership, vision, labor and financial contributions. Past Research Center Directors, including, Dr. John Weihing and Mr. Robert Fritschen, as well as present Director Dr. Charles Hibberd, have provided much needed support and direction. Stanley Haas, Communication Specialist at the Center has served as co-curator and arboretum committee chairman since the arboretum’s inception. Dave Nuland, Extension Horticulture Specialist is the other co-curator and is the advocate of the landscape aesthetic. David Nuland has been the primary vision behind much of the landscape development. Many other faculty and staff at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center have contributed to the Arboretum through their service on the arboretum committee and through volunteer projects. 

In 1987, the Arboretum was given a big financial boost with a generous donation from the estate of D.A. Murphy, for whom the Arboretum is now named. Mr. Murphy was a successful businessman who developed a great appreciation of nature. His generosity allowed for the creation of an endowment fund that will benefit the Arboretum in perpetuity.