Fort Kearny
Posted by: 
NevaP
N 40° 38.573 W 099° 00.361
14T E 499491 N 4499114
This marker is at the site of the first military post established along the route of overland migration.
Waymark Code: WM3KQ8
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 04/16/2008
Views: 20
The marker is located in Fort Kearny Historical park. It stands near a replica of a stockade.
The marker reads:
FORT KEARNY
The growth of overland emigration to Oregon after 1842 resulted in the establishment of military posts across the West to protect travelers. The first post, Fort Kearny, was established in the spring of 1848 "near the head of the Grand Island" along the Platte River by Lieutenant Daniel P. Woodbury. It was first called Fort Childs, but in 1848 the post was renamed Fort Kearny in honor of General Stephen Watts Kearny.
Despite its lack of fortifications, Fort Kearny served as way station, sentinel post, supply depot, and message center for 49'ers bound for California and homeseekers traveling to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. By the 1860s the fort had become a significant state and freighting station and home station of the Pony Express. During the Indian Wars of 1864-1865 a small stockade was apparently built upon the earth embankment still visible. Although never under attack, the post did serve as an outfitting depot for several Indian campaigns.
One of the fort's final duties was the protection of workers building the Union Pacific. In 1871, two years after the completion of the transcontinental railroad, the fort was discontinued as a military post. This site has been entered on the National Register of Historic Places.
The marker, #229 was placed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the Nebraska State Historical Society and the Fort Kearny State Historical Society
Marker Name: Fort Kearny
City: no
Roadside: no
Other: yes
Web Address if available:: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Post Pictures:
1. Close up of historical marker
2. Picture of surrounding area (would prefer to have the marker in the picture also). Thanks!