Barneston in Gage County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Oto and Missouri Agency
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 31, 2014
1. The Oto and Missouri Agency Marker
After 1854 the Oto and Missouri Indian village and agency were located near here. For many years the two tribes had been living along the lower portion of the Platte River, but when Nebraska became a territory they relinquished all claims to those lands. In exchange they received yearly cash payments, agricultural equipment and other goods in addition to a reservation of approximately 250 square miles around the village.
According to Indian Agent Major A. L. Green the community in 1870 consisted of 40 earth lodges plus several bark houses and tipis. There were also a combination school and church and a two-story frame house for the agent. South of the village was a blacksmith shop, a steam-powered saw mill and grist mill and residences for the other agency employees.
In the early 1870's the Oto and Missouri expressed a desire to move to Oklahoma. The reservation was sold, and by 1881 the two tribes had left Nebraska for their new home. After the Indians left, Francis M. Barnes opened a store near here to accommodate the settlers. The community of Barneston was named in his honor.
Erected by Barneston Village Council, Barneston Bicentennial Committee, and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 214.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed
this page online
Location. 40° 2.692′ N, 96° 34.525′ W. Marker is in Barneston, Nebraska, in Gage County. Marker is on State Highway 8 east of 108th Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Barneston NE 68309, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oketo School District 20 (approx. 5.8 miles away in Kansas); Z. H. Moore General Store (approx. 5.8 miles away in Kansas); Oketo Cut-Off of Overland Trail (approx. 6˝ miles away in Kansas); Saddle Up at Guittard (approx. 12.1 miles away in Kansas); Civil War Memorial (approx. 13.6 miles away in Kansas); S. M. N. & R. American Legion Post 163 Veterans Memorial (approx. 14.2 miles away in Kansas); Marysville (approx. 14.3 miles away in Kansas); Marshall County Veterans Memorial (approx. 14.3 miles away in Kansas).
Related marker. Click here
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 31, 2014
2. The Oto and Missouri Agency Marker
Also see . . .
1. The Otoe and Missouria Tribe Official Site. (Submitted on October 15, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Otoe and Missouria Tribe Facts. (Submitted on October 15, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 750 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
