Fort Robinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Robinson State Park |
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Post headquarters
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| Location | Dawes & Sioux counties, Nebraska, United States |
| Nearest city | Crawford, Nebraska |
| Area | 22,332.72 acres (9,037.73 ha) |
| Elevation | 3,806 ft (1,160 m) |
| Established | 1956 |
| Administered by | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission & History Nebraska |
| Designation | Nebraska state park |
| Website | Fort Robinson State Park |
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Fort Robinson and Red Cloud Agency
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Site of the second Red Cloud Agency
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| Location | Dawes and Sioux counties, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Crawford, Nebraska |
| Area | 2,500 acres (10.1 km2) |
| Built | 1873 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000442 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | December 19, 1960 |
Fort Robinson is a historic former U.S. Army fort. Today, it is a big part of Fort Robinson State Park. This park covers about 22,000 acres. It's a great place for outdoor fun and learning about history. You can find it near Crawford, Nebraska, in the beautiful Pine Ridge area of northwest Nebraska.
Fort Robinson was named a National Historic Landmark in 1960. This means it's a very important historical site. The park includes the fort itself and the spot where the second Red Cloud Agency once stood. It also has other historic places like Camp Camby and the Percy Homestead. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission manages the park. Some buildings are run by History Nebraska and the University of Nebraska.
History of Fort Robinson
Why Was Fort Robinson Built?
In August 1873, the Red Cloud Agency moved to the White River area. This was near what is now Crawford, Nebraska. About 13,000 Lakota people were living there. In March 1874, the U.S. Government decided to build a military camp nearby.
This camp was first called Camp Robinson. It was named after Lt. Levi H. Robinson, an officer who had died earlier that year. In May 1874, the camp moved a short distance west to where it is today. In January 1878, its name was changed to Fort Robinson.
Fort Robinson and the Sioux Wars
Fort Robinson was a key base for the U.S. military. It played a big role in the Sioux Wars from 1876 to 1890. A famous event, the Battle of Warbonnet Creek, happened nearby in July 1876.
One of the most well-known events at the fort involved the Lakota war chief Crazy Horse. He surrendered at Fort Robinson with about 1,100 followers on May 6, 1877. Sadly, on September 5 of that year, he was killed at the fort while resisting being held. A special marker shows where this happened.
The Northern Cheyenne's Struggle
In January 1879, Chief Morning Star (also known as Dull Knife) led the Northern Cheyenne in an attempt to leave the agency. The Cheyenne had been forced to move to Indian Territory. They felt the conditions there were too harsh to survive. The army had been holding them at the fort, limiting their food, water, and warmth during a very cold winter. This was done to try and make them obey.
U.S. soldiers chased after those who tried to escape. Many Cheyenne men, women, and children died in what is known as the Fort Robinson massacre. The U.S. Supreme Court later called this event a "shocking story" and "one of the most melancholy of Indian tragedies." This sad event marked the end of the major Sioux and Cheyenne wars in Nebraska.
Fort Life and Changes Over Time
In 1885, the 9th Cavalry Regiment was stationed at Fort Robinson. These soldiers were known as the Buffalo Soldiers by Native Americans. Over the next few years, the fort grew larger. Military training was a big part of daily life.
From 1889 to 1890, Second Lieutenant Charles Young served here. He was a black officer who graduated from West Point. He became the highest-ranking black person in the U.S. Army during his career. From 1887 to 1898, Fort Robinson was the main headquarters for the regiment. Soldiers at the fort could enjoy entertainment at the post gymnasium and theater, built in 1904.
After World War I in 1919, Fort Robinson became the world's largest quartermaster remount depot. This meant it was a huge center for breeding and training horses and mules for the military. The fort also helped local farmers improve their horse breeds. During World War II, the fort was used to train K-9 corps dogs. It also held a German prisoner-of-war camp.
Fort Robinson's Closing and New Beginning
The U.S. Army decided to close Fort Robinson in 1947. The next year, the property was given to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They used it as a research station for beef cattle.
In the mid-1950s, some buildings were torn down. But then, people started working to save the fort as a historic site. In 1955, History Nebraska began to buy parts of the fort. They opened a museum there in 1956. The USDA closed its work in 1971. The property was then given to the state of Nebraska.
Fort Robinson Becomes a State Park
Fort Robinson State Park officially started in 1956. This happened after the Nebraska Game, Forestation and Parks Commission bought some land in 1955. The park grew even bigger when more of the site was given to the state by the U.S. government in 1964. It reached its current size when Nebraska bought the nearby James Arthur Ranch in 1972.
What to See and Do at Fort Robinson Today
Fort Robinson State Park has many historic buildings and sites to explore. These include:
- The 1904 blacksmith shop
- The 1908 veterinary hospital
- The 1887 officers' quarters
- The 1875 guardhouse and adjutant's office
- The post cemetery
There is also a library where you can research Fort Robinson and military history. A building that used to store supplies is now used as a playhouse for shows.
Museums at the Park
The Fort Robinson Museum is located in the 1905 post headquarters building. Its exhibits tell the story of the fort. You can learn about its role in guarding the Red Cloud Agency from 1874 to 1877. You can also learn about its time housing World War II German prisoners of war from 1943 to 1946.
The Trailside Museum of Natural History is also at the park. It is run by the University of Nebraska State Museum. This museum is inside the historic Army Theatre building.
Entertainment at The Post Playhouse
Fort Robinson is also home to The Post Playhouse. This is a professional theater company. They put on live plays during the summer months. Actors, musicians, and directors come from all over the United States to perform here.
