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 i.