3 weeks Ago
OUTDOORS Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, southeast of Burwell, is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the building of the fort with a special event Aug. 31Sept. 1.
In September 1874, U.S. military soldiers and hired civilian workers began construction on an infantry outpost on the edge of the Sandhills.
Originally designated as the "Post on the North Fork of the Loup River," the fort's name was changed on Dec. 9, 1874, to honor Maj. Gen.
George L. Hartsuff. The fort was built to protect settlers and the friendly Pawnee Tribe from possible attacks from hostile Native American tribes.
The fort's major military event was in April 1876 at the Battle of the Blow Out. The engagement led to the death of 1st Sgt. Dougherty at the hand of hostile Sioux.
The fort's most important role was being an employer for construction projects, other odd jobs and a place for local farmers to sell crops. The fort helped settlers get through the grasshopper plague of 1874 and it became the center of social life and a gathering place for all in the valley. As the railroad extended into the valley, the threat of hostilities was diminished as orderly government was established, making the fort unnecessary.
It was sold to Union Pacific Railroad, but the rail never materialized at the fort's location, so the acreage was privately sold. Fort Hartsuff was abandoned on May 1, 1881. The area was acquired by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in 1961 as a state historical park.
The 1,280-acre area includes the post headquarters, officers' quarters, barracks, hospital, stable and guardhouse, which are open to the public. Fort Hartsuff is unique as many of the original buildings are still standing. The buildings were constructed from a lime and concrete mixture known as grout, which prolonged the lifespan of these historical structures.
The fort's original and reconstructed buildings stand as one of the most complete examples of forts from the Plains Indian Wars. It is worth the drive to attend the celebration planned for Labor Day weekend. The celebration will include ongoing 1870s military and civilian reenactments and demonstrations, speakers, kids' activities, food vendors and more.
The front desk, gift shop and historical buildings will be open 10 a.m.-10 p.
m. Aug. 31 and 10 a.
m.4:30 p.m.
Sept. 1. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering the park.
Event admission is $4 for visitors ages 13 years and up and $1 for ages 3-12. The schedule of events for the weekend includes: Aug. 31 ■ 10:30-11:30 a.
m. — Dr. Jean Lukesh: "Trooper" Lee Herron and Fort Hartsuff.
■ 11:30 a.m.-noon — Kids' military drill.
■ Noon-12:30 p.m. — Alan Bartels: 100 Things to Do in the Sandhills Before You Die.
■ 1-2 p.m. — Kimberlee Berezuk: "Daughters of Mars," Women with the Frontier Army 1870.
■ 3-4 p.m. — Humanities Nebraska presents Jerome Kills Small: Songs and Dances of the Lakota.
■ 4-9 p.m. — Beer and Wine Garden, Scratchtown Brewing Company and Niobrara Valley Vineyards.
■ 5-6 p.m. — Humanities Nebraska presents Jeff Barnes: Forts of Nebraska.
■ 6:30-7:30 p.m. — Artillery demonstration and evening parade.
■ 8-9 p.m. — Candlelight tour.
■ 9-10 p.m. — Artillery demonstration, night shoot.
Sept. 1 ■ 10:30-11:30 a.m.
— Humanities Nebraska presents Jeff Barnes: Forts of Nebraska. ■ 11:30 a.m.
-12:30 p.m. — Humanities Nebraska presents Jerome Kills Small: Trade Between the Lakota Sioux and Early White Traders.
■ 12:30-1:30 p.m. — Dr.
Jean Lukesh: "Trooper" Lee Herron and Fort Hartsuff. ■2-3 p.m.
— Garry Wells: The Early Military Occupation of the North Loup Valley. ■ 3-4 p.m.
— 150th dedication ceremony, artillery demonstration and evening parade. Ash Hollow SHP Living History Rendezvous Ash Hollow State Historical Park will be hosting a "Living History Rendezvous" from 9 a.m.
-5 p.m. MT Sept.
12-14. Schools are encouraged to sign up for field trips 9 a.m.
-noon Sept. 12 and Sept. 13.
Preregistration is required. Please call 308778-7708 to schedule a field trip. Throughout the event, enjoy hands on educational activities with experts on Dutch oven cooking, teepees, chuck wagon 101, trap setting, gold mining, black powder shooting, quilting demonstrations and exhibit, tomahawk throwing, blacksmithing, tin smithing, wood working, mini log cabin building, a petting zoo, trail rides, food and craft vendors and more.
Friday and Saturday scheduled events are: ■ 8 a.m. to noon — Farmers market.
■ 11 a.m. and 2 p.
m. — Black powder demonstrations. ■ High noon shoot-out.
■ 1 p.m. and 4 p.
m. — Tomahawk demonstrations. Saturday only: 10 a.
m., horseback poker run on the east side of Ash Hollow State Historical Park. Contact The Velvet Spurs at 308-539-2006 to participate.
Admission is free with a valid Nebraska park permit. Daily or annual permits are available on site, or online at gooutdoorsne.com .
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