Near Burwell in Garfield County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Calamus Valley
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 6, 2021
1. The Calamus Valley Marker
The source of the Calamus River is spring-fed Moon Lake, 60 miles northwest of here. The river was named after a common marsh plant eaten by muskrats. Archeological evidence indicates that prehistoric Indians camped in the valley as early as 3,000 years ago. During historic times it was the hunting ground of the Pawnee, Sioux, and Omaha. The first European to visit the region was explorer James Mackay in 1796. Mackay struck the Calamus near its source and followed it downstream to its confluence with the Loup River.
The coming of settlers to the valley in the 1870s sparked occasional conflict with Indians. The last skirmish, the Battle of the Blowout, occurred just north of here in 1876. Sergeant William Dougherty of the 23rd Infantry and one Indian were killed in the fight. Lieutenant Charles Heyl and Corporals Patrick Leonard and Jeptha Lytton received Congressional Medals of Honor for bravery. These soldiers were from Fort Hartsuff, located on the Loup River 15 miles to the southeast. The Forts active period (1874-1881) marked the beginning of the modern era of settlement and development in the Calamus Valley.
Erected by Bureau of Reclamation; and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 307.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic
this page online
Location. 41° 50.351′ N, 99° 12.327′ W. Marker is near Burwell, Nebraska, in Garfield County. It can be reached from Dam Road (State Highway 96) 7 miles north of State Highway 91, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located near the parking lot at the southeast end of Calamus Reservoir, overlooking the dam. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 46279 Dam Road, Burwell NE 68823, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The North Loup Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Turntable (approx. 5.2 miles away); First Settlers in Garfield (approx. 5.4 miles away); Garfield County (approx. 5.4 miles away); The Pebble Creek Fight
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 6, 2021
2. The Calamus Valley Marker
Also see . . .
1. Fort Hartsuff, Nebraska. Legends of America website entry:
When white settlers began to populate the North Loup Valley, Sioux depredations at Sioux Creek in October 1873 and at Pebble Creek in January 1874 prompted the settlers to request military protection. The fort was established on September 5, 1874. On December 9, 1874, the post was renamed in honor of Major General George L. Hartsuff. In addition to protecting the settlers, the fort was also responsible for overseeing the Pawnee Indian Reservation, in present Nance County.(Submitted on January 1, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Fort Hartsuff was center of activity for settlers. Farm progress website entry, features the Battle of the Blowout (Submitted on November 1, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Charles Petit Heath Heyl • Congressional Medal of Honor.
Voluntarily, and with most conspicuous gallantry, charged with three men upon six Indians who(Submitted on January 1, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)were entrenched upon a hillside.via History Nebraska, 18803. A bird's-eye view of Fort Hartstuff, built 1874-75
4. Patrick Thomas Leonard Congressional Medal of Honor.
Gallantry in charge on hostile Sioux.(Submitted on January 1, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
5. Jeptha L. Lytton • Congressional Medal of Honor.
Gallantry in charge on hostile Sioux.(Submitted on January 1, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 944 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 1, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on November 1, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
