North Platte in Lincoln County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fort McPherson
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 4, 2021
1. Fort McPherson Marker
The fort near here was established on the Oregon Trail on the south side of the Platte River in October 1863, on the eve of intensified Indian raids on the Plains. Built next to the well-known Cottonwood Springs and McDonald ranches, it commanded a strategic north-south Indian trail across the Platte Valley.
First known as Cantonment McKean and then Fort Cottonwood, the fort in February 1866 was named for Major-General James B. McPherson. It served to protect the important Platte Valley line of travel and communication and was the base for innumerable scouting parties and for field campaigns in 1865, 1866 and 1869. General Carrs campaign in 1869 broke the power of the Cheyenne and cleared the surrounding area from more than temporary Indian threats.
The Russian Grand Duke Alexis prepared here for his famous buffalo hunt in 1872. General Custer, Buffalo Bill, the North Brothers and their Pawnee scouts were often at the Fort. The fort was abandoned in 1880, but a portion of the military reservation is now the Fort McPherson National Cemetery where rest soldiers from McPherson and other frontier forts, as well as those who
this page online
Erected by Buffalo Bill Corral of Westerners; and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 197.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1863.
Location. 41° 9.615′ N, 100° 47.395′ W. Marker is in North Platte, Nebraska, in Lincoln County. It can be reached from North Buffalo Bill Avenue 0.8 miles north of Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located on the Lincoln County Historical Museum grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2403 North Buffalo Bill Avenue, North Platte NE 69101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Nebraska and in the Platte River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, on the Great Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it is in North
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 4, 2021
2. Fort McPherson Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort McPherson Cabin (here, next to this marker); Fort McPherson Flagpole (here, next to this marker); Windmill & Cistern (a few steps from this marker); Ericsson House (a few steps from this marker); General Store (a few steps from this marker); Maxwell Jail (a few steps from this marker); Pony Express Station (a few steps from this marker); Dick Neve Barber Shop (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Platte.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Lincoln County Historical Museum
Also see . . . Fort McPherson, Nebraska (Wikipedia). The decision to build the fort was following the Dakota War of 1862. It was an outpost to protect travelers along the Oregon and California Trails, between Fort Kearny and Colorado and to keep the peace with the local Native Americans. The fort was built by troops
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 4, 2021
3. Fort McPherson Cabin Exhibit
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,204 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 2, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
