We had some extra time in Omaha before our flight, so we drove 15 miles north to Fort Calhoun, site of Fort Atkinson State Park. Fort Atkinson was the largest and westernmost military fort 1820-1827. Prior to the fort, this was the site of the Lewis and Clark Council Bluff (explained below).
This fort consisted of a rectangular arrangement of one-story barracks facing inward to the enclosed parade ground. Four entrances were located near the center of the four walls. Cannons were mounted in the bastions at the northwest and southeast corners. The powder magazine was located in the center of the enclosed area.
The post’s population of over 1,000 included military personnel of the Elite Rifle Regiment and Sixth Infantry, some of their families and other civilians.
Outside the fort were located a large council for negotiating with the Indians, a gristmill, schoolhouse, sawmill and other buildings, including a brick kiln that produced thousands of bricks.
Fort Atkinson was an important early step in opening up the West. Rows of barracks.Company C barracks.Officer’s quartersLibraryOfficers’ KitchenHospitalSurgeon’s roomThis is the most fascinating room we looked into. The range of punishments would never fly today, but they worked on the edge of the frontier!Pillory. More of an embarrassment than punishment, used to punish minor infractions of military regulations.Choke Box, used for punishing drunkenness, thievery etc. Subject would be placed in the box for 1/2 hour each day for 30 days. The person would have to stay in a crouching position, as you cannot stand or sit. After release from the choke box, the soldier would have to wear a neck iron and perform police duties around the fort.Solitary confinement boxes.Iron collars, handcuffs, cat-o-nine-tails, ball chain, and leg shackles.Standing Post. The prisoner would be required to stand on this stump with a sign around his neck stating his crime. Also a way to embarrass the prisoner.Powder MagazineThe Powder Magazine held black powder, rifles, spherical cases, musket balls, grenades, port rifles, ball cartridges, pistol flints, musket flints, and more.Rear wall of the fort.Lewis & Clark Council Bluff Monument – First Council Sculpture. The first official meeting between representatives of the US government and an Indian tribe living west of the Mississippi River, occurred near this spot on August 3, 1804.Coin offered to the Indians – commemorative of President Thomas Jefferson.
This was the real purpose and highlight of this trip: family! The Wahoo folks are always happy to see us, and have a big get-together, and this time was no exception. A big potluck dinner, and many cousins! Mary Jean grew up spending summers here, and played with these cousins, and they are still kicking! CousinsCousinsSt. Winceslaus ChurchSaunders County CourthouseThe USS Wahoo submarine sank 20 Japanese ships in World War II!This memorial park at the courthouse is pretty impressive.Remembering sons of Wahoo who were killed in action in World War II. Saunders County lost quite a few young men!Memorial Day weekend at the Wahoo CemeteryMemorial Day, honoring Wahoo’s veteransBaseball Hall of Famer Sam Crawford was from Wahoo. He teamed with all-time great Ty Cobb in the Detroit Tigers outfield in the early 1900s. He finished his career holding the career record for most triples – 309! This record will likely never be broken. He was known as “Wahoo Sam”!The baseball field here is named for Sam Crawford. Saunders County Museum railroad depot.Depot roomDepot waiting roomSeveral vintage buildings are part of this museum.Outhouse – no running water! Snakes possible! Life in the early days in the 1900s.
Not exactly a tourist stop, but Scheel’s has a lot going on. Outside of the store there are statues of four presidents. Here is George Washington.Thomas Jefferson holding his Declaration of IndependenceAbraham Lincoln holding his Gettysburg AddressRonald ReaganThere is a Ferris Wheel insideOf course, there is much University of Nebraska clothing. They also have clothing for many other colleges across the country here!
The Omaha Herald Newspaper, the only African-American newspaper in Nebraska. Founded in 1938 by Mildred Brown and her husband S. Edward Gilbert.Historic Jewell Building, built in 1923, was home to the Dreamland Ballroom until 1965. It hosted many of the greatest Jazz musicians and entertainers during its heyday. Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Preston Love and Ray Charles played on the stage before the capacity crowds of 500!Pretty impressive basketball courts.Malcolm X was born in Omaha in 1925.
Jurassic Park Jeep outside the museum.The Durham Museum is in the old Omaha Union Station.Inside the station, there are a number of statues in various poses depicting activity at a train station.Down in the lower level, there are antique automobiles and trains. This a 1920 Rauch & Lang Electric Car.1906 Holsman Motor CarModel A Ford (1927-1931)Bekins Van Lines Moving Truck, early 1900s.1932 Douglas TruckUnion Pacific 1243 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler Steam Locomotive and Tinder Car, built 1890.Union Pacific Caboose. Cabooses were phased out in the 1970s by computer technology.Caboose interiorStreetcarStreetcar interiorSouthern Pacific Club Car, built 1949.Club car interior.Cornhusker Club Car, built in 1924 by Pullman. This particular car was used by President Harry Truman in his 1948 presidential campaign “Whistle Stop Tour”. Although he was expected to lose, this Whistle Stop Tour covered over 30,000 miles and stopped in more than 200 towns, helping Truman to a surprise victory in the election. The dining room.General store from the early 1900s. Here is a cash register, meat wrapping paper, and a scale.Refrigerated goods.Meat display case.Canned and dry goods.Early 1860-1900 Worker’s CottageHome furnishings during the years…Health Care in Early OmahaLog cabinSchool roomOmaha tribe tipi.Covered Wagon, 1841-1866.Wells Fargo Mud Wagon, circa 1870Medieval Italian Manuscript dating from 1317. Likely utilized in a Benedictine Monastery. Passed down through families like Trivulzios, Trotti and Hoepli. An 1886 auction brought the manuscript to the midwest.This is pretty cool, a silver Roman danarius coin from Julius Ceasar in 49-48 BC! There is a substantial collection of coins and paper money from a private collection on display.
