Fort Kearny, Nebraska

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Jay Haeske Standard Reply

Fort Kearny was the first post on the Oregon Trail and in existence from 1848 to 1871. It was used as a way station and supply center for settlers on the way to Oregon and to protect them from Indian raids, which actually didn’t really occur at the fort. It was also used as a station on the Pony Express in 1860/1861. Another use in its last few years was to protect workers building the Union Pacific line towards the west. You can’t really tell how much life there must have been in here as only a few buildings have been rebuilt so far, but it’s still a fascinating place and the visitor center host a very informative exhibition telling the story of the fort and containing a wealth of artifacts from that period. Fort Kearny is located a few miles south of Kearney, NE

Blacksmith shop

Powder magazine

Wahoo, Nebraska

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Jay Haeske Standard 4

Wahoo is a city with a population of about 4500 people and was the first stop I made after leaving Omaha (it’s located about 40 miles west of Omaha). I wanted to check out the Historical Park I read about. As it turned out it was well worth visiting. It’s a small affair with only a handful of buildings, but clearly a labor of love of those maintaining it.

This torpedo in front of the Saunders County Court House is a memorial to the WW II submarine Wahoo.

For more photos from Wahoo, check my Flickr at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorimerblack/

Brainard, NE

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Jay Haeske Standard 1

Brainard is a small town approx. 20 miles west of Wahoo and about 60 miles west of Omaha. I have made it a habit of getting off the highway or Interstate and visiting little towns/villages on my travels. Brainard is very much a typical Midwest small town. I like towns like this a lot.