North Platte, Nebraska
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Meets the second Thursday of the month
From September through May 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Chartered November 22, 1916 |
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Chapter Officers
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Regent
Vice Regent Chaplain Recording Secretary Treasurer Registrar Historian |
Molly O'Holleran
Elizabeth Schanou Kellie Mercer Mary Tanner Jane Allen Mary Agler Vicki McCarty |
Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout is an historic hill about sixteen miles southeast of North Platte, and commands an unobstructed view of the Platte Valley for many miles east and west. It is at the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers. The Sioux used this point from about 1847 to 1880 as an observation place, spotting Oregon Trail travelers as they came up the valley. The Native American name for it was Sha-Oosa-Gah-Ohma, which means “Smoke-Talking-Height.” From this point they were also able to sight unfriendly Native American tribes and to signal friendly ones.
The hill also overlooked Cottonwood Canyon, which later became Fort McPherson. The soldiers stationed there used the hill as a lookout for the approach of hostile Native Americans. Fort McPherson protected the Oregon Trail and the Transcontinental Telegraph Line, and continued to serve as protection against hostilities until after the Union Pacific Railroad was completed in 1896. Among the colorful characters associated with Fort McPherson were Frank and Luther North and their Pawnee battalion, and Buffalo Bill (William F. Cody), who headquartered there on several of his famous buffalo hunts, including the one arranged for the Grand Duke Alexis in 1872.
In 1931, E. Collier created the Sioux Lookout statue, which was commissioned by Lincoln County to commemorate the Old Oregon Trail. The statue was erected on the point of Sioux Lookout. Unfortunately, decades of vandalism at that secluded spot took its toll. The statue was finally removed, renovated, and relocated behind wrought iron fencing on the grounds of the Lincoln County Courthouse in downtown North Platte.
~ by Mildred Burgner Walter, Sioux Lookout Chapter member
The hill also overlooked Cottonwood Canyon, which later became Fort McPherson. The soldiers stationed there used the hill as a lookout for the approach of hostile Native Americans. Fort McPherson protected the Oregon Trail and the Transcontinental Telegraph Line, and continued to serve as protection against hostilities until after the Union Pacific Railroad was completed in 1896. Among the colorful characters associated with Fort McPherson were Frank and Luther North and their Pawnee battalion, and Buffalo Bill (William F. Cody), who headquartered there on several of his famous buffalo hunts, including the one arranged for the Grand Duke Alexis in 1872.
In 1931, E. Collier created the Sioux Lookout statue, which was commissioned by Lincoln County to commemorate the Old Oregon Trail. The statue was erected on the point of Sioux Lookout. Unfortunately, decades of vandalism at that secluded spot took its toll. The statue was finally removed, renovated, and relocated behind wrought iron fencing on the grounds of the Lincoln County Courthouse in downtown North Platte.
~ by Mildred Burgner Walter, Sioux Lookout Chapter member