Prior to 1900s, travel across Nebraska was extremely difficult. Roads were few and far between and as you traveled west from Omaha, any roads that did exist were simply two ruts in the prairie. Prior to World War I the transportation needs of the country were mostly met by steamboats and railways. Farmers experienced difficulties delivering their harvest to markets, especially so when heavy rains caused any trails to become impassible muddy quagmires. As the desire for public, well maintained roads grew, the State of Nebraska recognized this need and passed laws permitting counties to build roads and levy taxes as well as designating section lines as roads.