Fort Omaha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Omaha Historic District
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Nebraska State Historical Marker for Fort Omaha at the corner of 30th and Fort Streets
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Location | Omaha, Nebraska |
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| Built | December 5, 1868 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001112 |
| Added to NRHP | March 27, 1974 |
Fort Omaha, once called Sherman Barracks, is a historic place in North Omaha, Nebraska. It started as a supply base for the United States Army during the American Indian Wars. Today, most of Fort Omaha is home to Metropolitan Community College. However, parts of it are still used by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army Reserve units.
This fort is famous for a very important event in American history. In 1879, Ponca Chief Standing Bear and 29 other Ponca people were held here. They had left their assigned territory and were arrested. A judge named Elmer Dundy decided that Native Americans were "persons" under the law. This meant they had rights and could not be held against their will. This trial, called Standing Bear v. Crook, was a big step for civil rights.
Because of its important past, Fort Omaha is listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place worth protecting. You can still see several old buildings from the 1800s at the fort, like the General Crook House Museum and the old guardhouse.
Contents
What is Fort Omaha?
Fort Omaha began in 1868 as a place to store supplies for other forts along the Platte River. It's located in the Miller Park area of North Omaha. While it's mostly a college campus now, it still helps train military reserve units. The fort is recognized as an important historic site.
Fort Omaha's Early Days
How Fort Omaha Started
The fort was first set up on December 5, 1868. It was called Sherman Barracks, named after a famous general, William Tecumseh Sherman. It was built on 82.5 acres of land north of Omaha. The next year, its name was changed to Omaha Barracks. General Sherman reportedly thought the fort was too small to be named after him!
Becoming Fort Omaha
On December 30, 1878, the post officially became Fort Omaha. It was the main office for the U.S. Army's Department of the Platte for a few years. Many soldiers lived at the fort until 1896. Then, they moved to Fort Crook nearby.
The Standing Bear Trial
Fort Omaha played a key role in the famous 1879 trial of Standing Bear v. Crook. Chief Standing Bear, a leader of the Ponca tribe, was held at the fort. He went to court to argue for his people's rights. He successfully convinced the judge that Native Americans deserved the same legal rights as other people. This trial was a major moment for civil rights in the United States. Standing Bear had help from Susette LaFlesche Tibbles, a well-known Omaha woman, and lawyer Andrew Jackson Poppleton.
Fort Omaha in Wars
During the Spanish–American War, Fort Omaha became a gathering point for soldiers from Nebraska. Later, in World War II, it was used as a prisoner-of-war camp. It housed Italian soldiers who had been captured in Europe.
The Fort Omaha Balloon School
Flying High with Balloons
In 1907, the Army built a large hangar at Fort Omaha. They wanted to experiment with dirigibles, which are like large, steerable balloons. This program was stopped in 1909. However, a balloon house was built in 1908, and the first balloon flight happened in 1909. The military even got more land, called Florence Field, for training.
Training for World War I
When the United States joined World War I, many men signed up for the Army's Aviation Section. They came to the Fort Omaha Balloon School for training. These soldiers learned to use balloons to observe enemy positions for artillery. More than 16,000 airmen trained at this school.
End of the Balloon School
By 1917, the Army decided that the weather at Fort Omaha wasn't ideal for quick balloon training. The school eventually moved to Texas. Sadly, in 1918, there was an accident at Florence Field. A balloon exploded, causing injuries and deaths.
Historic Buildings at Fort Omaha
Fort Omaha has several buildings from the 1800s that are still standing. These buildings are important because they show us what military life was like long ago.
General Crook House Museum
The General Crook House was built in 1879 for General George Crook and his wife. It's a beautiful house with an Italianate style. Today, it's a museum run by the Douglas County Historical Society. Inside, you can see furniture and decorations from the 1800s, along with military exhibits. The gardens around the house have also been restored to look like they did back then. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
Headquarters Building
The Headquarters Building was also built in 1879. It was where General Crook managed the Army's operations during the American Indian Wars. In 1881, the headquarters moved to Downtown Omaha to be closer to the railroads. Now, this historic building serves as the library for Metropolitan Community College.
The Guardhouse
The current Fort Omaha Guardhouse was built in 1883. It has been expanded over the years. This building is recognized as an Omaha Landmark, meaning it's a very important historical site for the city.
Fort Omaha Today
After World War II, the U.S. Navy took over Fort Omaha. Today, some parts of the fort are still used by the Marine Corps Reserve for training and by the Navy for vehicle storage and repairs. The rest of Fort Omaha is a campus for Metropolitan Community College. The Douglas County Historical Society also has its museum and archives at the General Crook House. More than 25 buildings at Fort Omaha are part of its historic district status.
See also
- American observation balloon service in World War I
- History of military ballooning
- Nebraska Territory
