NRHP: Fort Robinson and Red Cloud Agency
Contents
Fort Robinson & Red Cloud Agency
NRHP Reference #: 66000442
NRHP Listing Date: 19661015
Location
2 mi W of Crawford, Crawford vicnity, Dawes County, Nebraska
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Summary
Fort Robinson, located near Crawford, was established in 1874 to protect the nearby Red Cloud Indian Agency, and remained an active military post until 1948. It was a cavalry post until 1919 and after World War 1, became a quartermaster's remount depot to provide horses for the U.S. Army. In 1942 a war dog reception and training center was added; a prisoner of war camp was located at Fort Robinson from 1943 to 1946. The fort was transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1948 for use as a beef cattle research station. In 1971 title to Fort Robinson was granted to the state of Nebraska.Significant events in the history of Fort Robinson were the 1877 killing of Sioux Chief Crazy Horse, the 1879 Cheyenne Outbreak, and the participation of troops from the fort in the 1890-91 Sioux Campaign on the nearby Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The U.S. Army Equestrian Team trained at Fort Robinson in preparation for the 1936 Olympics.
Forty-nine buildings dating from 1875 to 1912, including officers' quarters, barracks, stables, shops, and the former Army Theater, remain at Fort Robinson. Some are used for staff and tourist housing, while others have been restored or reconstructed as museums.
Near the fort is the site of the Red Cloud Indian Agency, 1873-77; the World War II prisoner of war camp; and the post cemetery. Fort Robinson State Park is operated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The Nebraska State Historical Society and the University of Nebraska operate museums and interpretive programs at Fort Robinson.
Further Information
Bibliography
About the National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the country’s official list of historically significant properties. To be eligible for the NRHP a property must generally retain their historic appearance, be at least 50 years old, and have the potential to be documented as historically or architecturally significant at either the local, state, or national level. The National Register of Historic Places is a National Park Service program administered by the Nebraska State Historical Society for the state of Nebraska. Visit the Nebraska State Historical Society's website to learn more about the program.
