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Fort Calhoun is a focal point in the earliest recorded history of Washington County. Lewis and Clark, on their famed expedition to the Pacific Ocean, held council with the Oto and Missouri Indians on the Missouri River bluff east of what is now Fort Calhoun on August 3, 1804.
The name "Fort Calhoun" first appears on one of the maps made by Major Long, in 1819-20. The fort was ordered by Secretary of War John Calhoun to protect the fur trade. It does not appear on military records. The "works at the Council Bluff" was, instead, named "Fort Atkinson" in 1821 in honor of the first commander.
The soldiers remained at Fort Atkinson for eight years. They raised thousands of bushels of grain, vegetables, meats, and dairy products. They kept in touch with the outside world through visits from fur traders, delegations to the Indians, inspection officers, adventurers, and occasional world travelers. The fort was abandoned in 1827, and the soldiers moved down river to Fort Leavenworth. The buildings were left to the ravages of time.
In 1847-48 Mormon farmers from "Winter Quarters" at Florence, were sent to the area, and later to DeSoto, to supply grain for their westbound caravans. They used the brick and stone from the fort in some of their buildings.
In the summer of 1854, after the Nebraska Territory was opened for settlement, John Goss rowed across the Missouri River from his Iowa home and staked a claim on the fort grounds. Soon thereafter, the Fort Calhoun Township Company was formed, and a cabin built near the old fort magazine.
Early the next spring, in March 1855, E. H. Clark surveyed and platted the town site, and the new village of Fort Calhoun became the county seat. It lost the position to DeSoto in 1858, gaining it back in 1866, only to lose it to Blair in 1869.
Home seekers and speculators flocked to the new town - a trading center for the farming community with blacksmith shops, implement houses, cream stations, and the like.
Today, with a population of 680, there is a bank, an insurance and realty office, several taverns and restaurants, feed and tack store, stained glass shop, Too Far North featuring Nebraska wines and Wilkinson Manufacturing.
Excerpted from an article written by the late Edith L. Neale, historian teacher, and director of the Washington County Historical Museum for many years. Published in Nebraska, Our Towns, Central, Northeast by Jane Graff.
For more information contact: Fort Calhoun City Office,
110 S. 14th St, Fort Calhoun, NE 68023. 402-468-5303
Email: ftcalhounctyhall@huntel.net
Web site: www.fortcalhoun.org
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Living History Days: Fort Atkinson Historical Park. 402-468-5611.
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Fort Atkinson State Historical Park From 7th & Madison Streets on Hwy 75 go 1 mile east
The Lewis and Clark expedition camped in the area of Fort Atkinson State Historical Park July 30th to August 3rd, 1804. August 2nd and 3rd they met with the Otoe-Missouri tribes. They named the area Council Bluff. Clark noted in his journal, “Council Bluff…A Spot well Calculated for a Tradeing establishment”. Historian Hal Sterns considers this the most important point on the Nebraska Lewis and Clark Trail.
This site is now home to the "First Council Sculpture" which depicts the meeting between the Lewis & Clark Expedition and the Otoe-Missouri tribe.
Upon Clark’s recommendation, the army established Fort Atkinson in 1820 to keep peace between fur traders and Native Americans. It was the first and largest military outpost west of the Missouri. The post held a garrison of 1,000 soldiers. The bluff served as a gathering place for Native Americans, fur traders and soldiers. It was abandoned in 1827 as too remote from white settlements to serve any useful purpose.
Today, Fort Atkinson hosts a reconstructed fort and the Harold W. Anderson Visitor’s Center. The Fort features “Living History” six weekends a year from May through October. Area volunteers reenact life as it was when the fort was in operation. Contact the site for exact dates and times.
Sculpture
First Council The bronze sculpture, by artist Orland Joe, depicts the “First Council” where Lewis, Clark, an interpreter, members of the Otoe-Missouri tribe and Seaman met.
The Meeting Place Another sculpture, designed by Dr. Milt Heinrich, is placed at the base of the bluff east of Fort Atkinson. The area is believed to be the actual location of the “First Council”.
It incorporates many symbols: the compass facing north representing Lewis and Clark looking for a Northwest Passage; the feather points Northwest and the peace pipe intersects with the feather to make an “X” which marks the spot.
Trail: 2 miles - hiking, crosscountry skiing, nature
Admission: Nebraska State Park entry permit required, available at Visitor’s Center.
Hours: Park grounds are open in summer season 8am - 7pm, otherwise 9am to sunset. Visitor’s Center open daily, 10am – 5pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day
Tours: Pre-arranged tours are available from mid-April thru mid-November.
Facilities are marginally designed to serve the handicapped at this time.
Address: PO Box 240, Fort Calhoun, NE 68023. Phone: 402-468-5611
Web site:www.fortatkinsononline.org Email: ftatkin@ngpc.state.ne.us
Washington County Historical Museum: 14th & Monroe Sts
The Washington County Museum, Frahm House and Fontanelle Town Hall, are operated by the Washington County Historical Association. The association hosts many events throughout the year. Visit their web site,www.newashcohist.org for more information.
The Washington County Historical Museum is the oldest county museum in Nebraska. Displays feature: Lewis and Clark (interactive display), the fur trading days, artifacts from prehistoric time, Native American dress and equipment, relics from nearby Fort Atkinson, the opening of the Nebraska territory and more. Thomas Edison items and early telephone equipment represent the 20th Century. The library houses many genealogical resources including a two thousand-volume library, vital statistics, and census information.
The Washington County Museum is certified as an official site on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. A diorama and interactive display depict habitat areas experienced by the Corps of Discovery in 1804. The exhibit is based on journal entries.
Admission: Donation of $2 per adult or $1 per child suggested.
Hours: Open March 15 through Dec 15, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:00am – 4:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays 1:30 – 4:30pm or by appointment.
Tours: Group tours available. Handicapped accessible.
Address: 14th & Monroe (102 N. 14th St), Fort Calhoun, NE 68023 Phone: 402-468-5740
Website: www.newashcohist.org Email: info@newashcohist.org
The Frahm House is located two blocks from the museum at 15th and Madison, was built in 1905 by leading merchandiser Fred Frahm for his bride Sadie. The home is the same as when it was built, except for the addition of electricity, running water, a sewer system, and furnace. Victorian architecture and furnishings from the mid 1800s to 1910 are featured.
Just off the Byway the Fontanelle Town Hall, Fontanelle, NE, is on the National Historic Register. Tours by appointment through the Washington County Historical Society
Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge:Located three miles east of Fort Calhoun by the Missouri River.
Opened in 1996, the park includes 3,200 acres of grassland, woodland, and wetlands, as part of the “Back to the River” project, including a restored river channel. The refuge is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Lewis & Clark Expedition paused near here August 1-3, 1804 to hold the first council with American Indians.
Activities: Fishing, hiking (4-mile hiking loop & short trails), biking, bird watching, photography, auto tour route, cross-country skiing and picnicking. Wildlife viewing is best spring and fall.
No motorized boats, pets or alcohol allowed
Admission: No charge. Handicapped accessible. Group tours available
Hours: Open daily, daylight use only, closed major holidays
Address: P.O. Box 69, Fort Calhoun, NE 68023 Phone: 402-468-4313
Website: http://boyerchute.fws.gov Email: Bryan_Shultz@fws.gov
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FUEL
Calhoun Oil Co: 113 South 14th, 402-468-5711
Taylor Quick Pik: 201 North 14th, 402-468-5888
DINING
American Legion Fort Bar: 1311 Court St., 402-468-5505
C & C Subs: 515 North 14th St, 402-468-4518
Carmela’s Drive-Thru Coffee Shop: 509 N. 14th St., 402-468-5466
Dairy Delight: 115 N 14th St., 402-468-4333 (summertime only)
Longhorn Bar & Restaurant: 101 S 14th St., 402-468-5670
Rustic Inn Restaurant: 112 S 14th St., 402-468-5565
Too Far North: wines and wine tasting, 111 N 14th St, 402-468-9463
GROCERIES
R&R Pioneer Foods Grocery: 106 S 14th St., 402-468-5468
BANK/ATM
Team Bank Nebraska: 101 N 14th St, 402-468-5411
LIBRARY - Public
MEDICAL
Fort Calhoun Clinic: 1420 Clark St., 402-468-4655
EMERGENCY
Fort Calhoun Fire & Rescue: Volunteer, 911 or 402-426-6866
Non-Emergency to fire hall 402-468-5861
Washington County Sheriff: 911 or 402-426-6866
CHURCHES
Fort Calhoun Baptist Church: 710 N 15th, 402-468-5330
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church: 215 N 13th, 402-468-5348
Fort Calhoun Presbyterian Church: 123 N 13th, 402-468-5683
SHOPPING
Feed Store
PARKS
Baseball and Softball Fields: 12th and Madison
Jaycee Community Building Field: 11th and Monroe
West Market Square: 15th and Monroe
Pioneer Park: 8th and Monroe
EDUCATION
Fort Calhoun School: 11th and Monroe, 402-468-4655
GENEOLOGY
Washington County Museum: 14th and Monroe, 402-468-5740
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Fort Calhoun Tourist Information: 402-468-5303.
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