Fort Robinson: Outpost on the PlainsGrange, Roger T.
History
Fort Robinson: Outpost on the Plains
Grange, Roger T.
Fort Robinson (Neb.); Indians of North America -- Wars -- 1866-1895
In 1901 a brick hospital building was erected, and the old concrete
structure became the Post Exchange. Before the hospital was even
completed the surgeon asked for an additional wing, which was
immediately added, as well as a large annex at the rear to accommodate
the increasing garrison. Brick buildings built in 1906-1912 included
stables, stable guard quarters, blacksmith shops, fire station, bakery,
company barracks buildings, bachelor officers’ quarters and officers’
residences. At one time an elaborate plan to convert the entire post to
the new brick style was drawn up but was never carried out. Needless to
say, along with construction came the destruction of old and outmoded
buildings which were replaced. The only remnants of the original post of
the 1870’s standing today are the six adobe officers’ quarters.
In 1927 the Remount Service began new major construction, building
several elaborate horse stables. All buildings were repaired and several
recreational facilities were built by the CCC during the 1930’s.
Expansion during World War II included a large number of temporary
buildings for use by the War Dog Training Center and the Prisoner of War
Camp.
The temporary buildings were sold as surplus and removed after the war,
and more unused residences and other buildings were torn down in 1956.
There remains today an example of each major building period at the
post, although some types of structures and materials used are no longer
to be seen.
FORT ROBINSON TODAY
World War II marked the end of extensive use of horses in military
service. Fort Robinson was declared surplus by the War Department and
turned over to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On April 29, 1949,
the Bureau of Animal Industry, U.S.D.A., in co-operation with the
University of Nebraska, established the Fort Robinson Beef Cattle
Research Station. Major research emphasis was on beef breeding
investigations before this service was phased out and moved to Clay
Center, Nebraska, toward the end of 1971.
The US. Department of Agriculture operated a Soil Conservation Service
Training Center at Fort Robinson from October, 1954, until January 6,
1964. Men from the great plains states and foreign countries were
trained at the center located in Comanche Hall, the former Bachelor
Officers’ Quarters.
Today Fort Robinson is operated under a cooperative agreement between
state agencies. The University of Nebraska Department of Geology and
State Museum have used the post as a base for paleontological field
parties, and the Museum operates a branch, the Trailside Museum, at Fort
Robinson.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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