Fort Kearny (1)

Fort Kearny (1) (1846-1848) - First established in 1846 as Camp Kearny. Later named Fort Kearny after Col. Stephen Watts Kearny, 1st U.S. Dragoons. Abandoned in 1848 for Fort Kearny (2).

Old Fort Kearny Marker

Oregon Trail Marker at Old Fort Kearny Site

Fort Kearny (1) History

Established 21 May 1846 by Maj. Clifton Wharton, 1st U.S. Dragoons as Camp Kearny. A single blockhouse was later constructed by the next post commander, Lt. William E. Prince. The blockhouse sat on a hill overlooking the river landing at the town of Nebraska City. The post was abandoned in June 1846 and reoccupied 15 Sep 1847. Finally abandoned in May 1848 because it was not central to most of the major the travel routes. The garrison was moved to Fort Kearny (2) which lay on south bank of the Platt River at a point where most of the major trails passed close by.

Current Status

Nothing remains except a small plaque on the back of an Oregon Trail Marker. The marker is located on the southeast corner of 5th Street and Central Avenue in Nebraska City.

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Location: Fort Kearny (1) Marker, Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska. Maps & Images Lat: 40.676383 Long: -95.851067 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 958'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 483
• Barnes, Jeff, Forts of the Northern Plains - Guide to Historic Military Posts of the Plains Indian Wars, Copyright 2008, Stackpole Books, ISBN 13: 978-0-8117-3496-7, ISBN 10: 0-8117-3496-X, page 61-62

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Kearny (1)

Visited: 17 Jun 2010

Fort Kearny (1) Picture Gallery

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