Fort Robinson was constructed and staffed in 1874 to monitor the distribution of supplies and beef promised to the Sioux Indians in return for peace. The fort worked to protect the Red Cloud Agency that had been set up by the Native Americans. In addition, because the area of the Platte River Valley had become a hotbed of chaos, the soldiers sometimes were called to duties involving cowboys from the Texas Trail, gold prospectors, and usually peaceful pioneers passing through Scotts Bluff. The cleft in the foothills of the Rockies to the west called Scotts Bluff was only a few miles away.
The fort's lands comprised 22,000 acres and were used in diverse ways over the long period it was staffed. It saw Indian clashes, including the killing of revered leader Crazy Horse, the first black troopers to be deployed there, military training and training of canines for war service, and the Remount Program where quality stallions were sent to the fort to be bred with suitable mares to improve cavalry stock. The troopers found the fort to be pleasant duty and, in their spare time, founded a Polo team.
Today the fort is a state park. The building shown above was the enlisted men's quarters and now houses visiting tourists. It has a dining room and gift shop today. One can board owned horses in the former cavalry barns for a fee -- a sort of horse motel. A swimming pool, wonderful hiking in rolling, pleasant, treed countryside, and visits to the many existing and well-maintained fort buildings are among the popular attractions. This scenic part of Nebraska has rugged river beds, huge ranches in the Sand Hills country, buttes and valleys inviting exploration.
No comments:
Post a Comment