North Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
General Crook's Headquarters at Fort Omaha
Fort Omaha Walking Tour
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 17, 2012
1. General Crook's Headquarters at Fort Omaha Marker
Upon the recommendation of Lt. General William T. Sherman, in 1866 the Adjutant General’s office created the Department of the Platte which included present-day Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Montana and a portion of southeastern Idaho. As departmental headquarters, Fort Omaha presided over supply and administration posts across this territory and coordinated campaigns against the Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, Nez Perce and Ute.
In 1870 the War Department authorized 14 permanent posts under Fort Omaha, each with an average of 282 men. Later in that decade, Montana was transferred to the Department of Dakota.
Soldiers guarded construction crews, protected mail coaches, extended roads and telegraphic services, delivered Indian annuities, assisted farmers devastated by grasshoppers, facilitated mapping and several times intervened in civil insurrections.
This large building was constructed in 1879 as General Crook’s headquarters. In 1881 General Crook moved his headquarters downtown to be near the Union Pacific terminal and warehouses. The building then served as a hospital until the post was abandoned in 1896. Currently, it houses the Fort Omaha Campus library for Metropolitan Community College.
Erected by Metropolitan Community College, Historical Society of Douglas
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, World I • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 41° 18.545′ N, 95° 57.525′ W. Marker is in Omaha, Nebraska, in Douglas County. It is in North Omaha. Marker is on Middle Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in front of Building 8, on the Metropolitan Community College Campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Omaha NE 68111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. History of Fort Omaha (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Omaha Balloon School (about 300 feet away); President's House (about 400 feet away); Fort Omaha Officers Row (about 400 feet away); Observation Balloon Training at Fort Omaha (about 500 feet away); Quartermaster's Office and Commissary (about 500 feet away); Fort Omaha Guardhouse (about 500 feet away); Crook House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Omaha.
Also see . . . Fort Omaha. (Submitted on August 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 17, 2012
2. General Crook's Headquarters at Fort Omaha Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 17, 2012
3. General Crook's Headquarters at Fort Omaha
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 655 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
