NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/846037
JULY 2017 • NEBRASKAland 29 Family Time Ever since the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission assumed ownership of Fort Robinson, visitors have considered it a jewel of the state park system. With its many lodging options and diverse activities for all ages, Fort Robinson has become a popular place to gather with family and friends. As one example of its prominence, USA Today listed it as one of the best places to have a family reunion. Most visitors begin their Fort Robinson experience at the lodge, with its information booth, permit sales, full- service restaurant, gift shop and hotel style lodging. The stately building, which serves as the park's headquarters, was constructed in 1909 as barracks. Many of the fort's original officers' quarters now serve as lodging, while other buildings have been modernized to serve various purposes. Because the buildings were constructed in varying sizes during separate eras of construction, groups as small as two and as large as 60 people can gather under one roof. Even the 500-square-feet duplex officers' quarters made of adobe bricks and covered with wood siding during the fort's earliest days are among the lodging available to visitors. Families often gather in "the bricks," "the adobes" and Comanche Hall, the buildings adorning the north and west sides of the park's horseshoe drive. Modern construction at the fort appropriately blends with the park's historical appeal. In 2015, the fort welcomed a reconstruction modeled after officers quarters originally built in 1891, an impressive blend of modern amenities in a historical package. The Buffalo Soldiers Barracks was reconstructed by the park at the turn of the 21st century to serve as the primary space for large meetings, wedding receptions and other group events. Included among them is the fort's annual Historical Christmas Dinner, in which attendees dine from a menu replicated from the fort's military days while dressed in period attire. Fort Robinson's campgrounds also feature variety. Travelers will find sites ranging from full RV hook-ups to primitive tent sites. Most of the sites are spacious with shade, some situated right along Soldier Creek. Visitors looking to cool off will enjoy the indoor Olympic-size swimming Park visitors cool off and enjoy the swimming pool, while others embark on a stagecoach ride – a longtime popular attraction. The Fort's Many Roles 1873: Red Cloud Agency moved from North Platte River to White River near Crawford. 1874: Camp Robinson established to provide security at Red Cloud Agency 1877: Crazy Horse killed at Camp Robinson 1878: Camp Robinson named Fort Robinson, indicating permanent status. 1879: Cheyenne Outbreak 1885: 9th Cavalry Regiment, known as the Buffalo Soldiers, stationed at Fort Robinson 1919: Fort Robinson becomes Quartermaster Remount Depot 1942: K-9 Training Center established 1943: German POW Camp established 1949: USDA Beef Research Station opens 1962: Fort Robinson becomes Fort Robinson State Park 1972: James Ranch acquired, boosting park's size to 22,000 acres