Nl'S l;orm l0-900 OMI] No. 1021-0018 (ltcv. l0-90)

United States Departnrentof the Interior National@ister of Historic Places @istration Form

Thb fcnn b fr ule in nofinating or rqueging delcrminatirN fa indh'itual pr(perticsand distrids Secinstruclir$ in lrw to CdnpHe lhc Natbnal Rcgincr d Hiroric Phc 'x" Rcgisrarix Fo(m (l,latifiial Regi{cr Buletin 164). Omrplctecach ircrnby ma*ing i|l tlE appopriat€ box d by enteringth. infqrnatih requ.sed. lf any irem dc rn apP|ytothePropcrtybcingdocufFnt€d'entcr''N/A"for"notaPplhabb''Fqfunc1id!s.architecluralc|assif|cali'l,matcriab,andarasofsigni|ran@,enlerq|lytand $rbcalegfiiesf|qn the ios1rua1ix6.Phce additbnal entris and narratit! iems od ontinualirr sh€ets(NPS Fanr l0-9ma). Us a t)?cwriler, u,ord pro(ls, cr @mpuler, to qnpbte all itcms

l. Name of Property historic name Military Road Segment other names/sitenumber NeHBS # DO09:0684-001

2. Location street & number 82nd and Fort Streets not for publication [N/A] citv or town Omaha vicinity IN/A] state Nebraska code NE county Douglas code 055 zip code 68128

3. State/ Federal Agency Certification

As the desigratedauthority undcr thc NationalHisroric Prcs€rvation Acr of 1986,as amended.I hcrcbycertify that this [x] nomination [] request for deierminationof eligibility meclslhe documcntationsrandards for registeringproperties in lhe NationalRcgister of Historic Placcsand meets the proceduraland professionalrcquirements s€t forth in 36 CFR Parr 60. ln my opinion,rhc properly[x] rnccts doesnot mect the National RcgistcrCritcria. I recommendthat rhis properly bc considcredsignificant U nationally[x] srarcwidell locauy. (l lSce continuationshect fo. additional qpmments.)

'cert NovemberI 1993 Signature ifying official Date

Director. NebraskaState Historical Societv State or Federal agency and bureau

ln my opinion, thc property [] meetsn docsnol meetthc Narioral Rcgist€rcritcria. ([ lSee conrinuationsheer for addirionalcomments.)

Signature of certifying official/Title Date

State or Federal agency and bureau

4. National Park Service Certification

I, hereby certify that this property is: I J entered in the National Register. [ ]Seecontinuation sheet. [ ] determined eligible for the National Register [ ] Seecontinuation sheet. [ ] determined not eligible for the National Register. [] removed from the National Register.

[ ] other,(explain): Signatureof Keeper Dateof Action M;litary Road Scsrncnt Douslas. Ncbraska Na rne of P ropcrt r Countv and State

5. Classification

Ownership of Property Category of Property Nrlrnber of Resources within Property (Check as many boxcsas apply) (Check only one box) (f)o not include previously listed resourcesin thc count.)

[ ] private [ ] building(s) Contributing Noncontributing [x] public-local [ ] district buildings [ | public-State Ix] site sites [ ] public-Federal [ | structure structures [ ] object objects Total

Name of related multiple property listing Number of contributing resources previously listed (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) in the National Register

N/A N/A

6. Function or Use

Historic Functions Current Functions (Enter categoriesfrom instructions) (Enter categoriesfrom instructions)

Transportation Vacant/Not in use

Architectural Classification Materials (Entercategories from instructions) (Enter categoriesfrom instructions)

N/A f oundation N/A walls N/A

roof N/A other N/A

Narrative Description (Describethe historic and current condition of theproperty on one or morecontinuation sheets.) Irtilitary RoadScgnrcnl Douglas,Ncbraska \anre of Propcrtv (lounty and State

E. Statemtnt of Significance

ApplicableNational RegisterCriteria Areas of Significance (Mark "x" in one or more boxcsfor the crileria qualiffing the property (Entercategorics from instructions) for National Registcr listing) Transportation. Militarv. Exploration/Scttlement [*l A Property is associatedwith eventsthat have madea significantcontribution to the broad patt.ernsof our history. tl Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.

I I C Propertyembodies the distinctive characteristicsof a type, period, or method of constructionor rcpresentsthe rvork of a Period of Significance master,or possesseshigh artistic values,or representsa significant and distinguishable I 856- 1858 entity whosecomponents lack individual distinction.

t I D Property has yielded.or is likely to yield information important in prehistor-v-or Significant Dates history. 1858 Criteria Considerations (Mark "x" in all the boxesthat apply.)

Property is: Significant Person (Completeif Criterion B is markedabove) I I A owned by u religiousinstitution or usedfor religiouspurposes. N/A tl B removed from its original location. Cultural Affiliation II c a birthplace or a grave. N/A tl D a cemetery. tl E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. II F a commemorative property. Architect/ Builder I1 G less than 50 years of age or achieved Beckwith, Captain Edward significance within the past 50 years.

Narrative Statementof Significance (Explain the significanceof the property on one or more continuation sheets.)

9. Major Bibliographical References

Bibliography (Cite the books, articles,and other sourcesused in preparingthis form on one or more continuation sheets.)

Previous documentation on file (NPS): Primary Location of Additional Data: preliminarydetermination of individual listing Ix] State Historic PreservationOffice (36 CFR 67) has beenrequested. [ ] Other Stateagency previouslylisted in the National Register [ | Federalagency previouslydetermined eligible by the National [x] Local government Register [ ] University designateda National Historic Landmark [ ] Other recordedby Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository: # DouglasCounty SurveyorsOffice recordedby Historic American Engineering Record# Militarv Road Scsnrcnt Douglas. Ncbraska Name of Propcrty- C'ount1and Statc

10. Geographical Data

Acreage of Property 2.78acres.

UTM Rcferences(Place additional UTM referenceson a continuation sheet)

Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing 1. t4 747555 4577040 3. 2. 4. [ ] Seecontinuation sheet.

Verbal Boundary Description (Describethe boundariesof the propertyon a continuationsheet.)

Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundarieswere selectedon a continuation sheet.)

11. Form Prepared By

name/title Greg Miller, Preservation Historian and Terry Steinacher, Prcservation Archeologist organization NebraskaState Historical Societv date Julv 1993 street& number 1500R Street telephone (402\ 47I-4775 crtv or [own Lincoln state Nebraska zip code68501

Additional Documentation

Submit thc followingircms with thc complctcdform:

Continuation Sheets

Maps A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreageor numerous resources.

Photographs Representative black and white photograpbs of the property.

Additional items (Chechwith thc SHPOor FPO for any additionalitems)

Property Owner

(Complererhis itcn al thc rcquesrof thc SHPOor FPO.) name County of Douglas- Board of Commissioners street& number 1819Farnam telephone G02) 444-7025 city or town Omaha state Nebraska zip code 68183

PiFrrort Rcductbtr Act Sl.lcocal: This information is bcing collecled for applications to thc i-_ationalRcgistcr of Hisloric Placcsto nominatc propcrticsfo. Iistingor detcrmineeligibility fo. listing,to list properties,and to amendcxisting listings. Rcsponsc to this rcquc.t is rcquircdto obtain a bcncfit in acco.dancci|ith thc NationalHisto.ic PrescrvationAct, as amcndcd(16 U.S.C.470 ct scq.). BstiE.tcd Burda! Slrtcocnt: Public rcporling burdcn for this forrn is cstifiatcd to avcragc 18.1 hours pc. rcsponscincluding thc timc for rcvic*ing instructions,gathcring and maintainingdata, and completingand rcvicwi0gthe form. Dircct commcntsrcgaading this burdencstimarc or any aspcct of this form to thc Chicf, Administrative ScrviccsDivision, National Park Scrvice, P,O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127iand the Officc of Man.gcmcntard Budgct,Papcrwork Reductions Projcct (1024-0018),Washinglon, DC 20503. \PS lrorm l0-900-a OIl l] \.r l():{ - 0()l8 (8 - 8fr)

United States Departnrent of the lnterior National Park Service

National@ister of HistoricPlaces GontinuationSheet Military Road Segment Nameof Property Douglas,Nebraska Section 7,8 Page 1 County and State

Description

This segmentof the Military Road is located on thc east side of Little Papillion Creek near its junction with Thomas Creek. The road, at this location, descendedfrom the uplands down into the creek valley along a narrow, ridge-like, toe slope. The segment is orientated along a norlhwest to southwest alignment. The northern, eastern and most of the southern sides of the site are surrounded by urban development. To the south and west a small, open, cultivated field still remains undeveloped. The current and an earlier, now abandoned, segment of is located along the northeast edge of the site.

The ridge line segmentof the Military Road relatesto the earliestdevelopment and layout of the route tn 1856.The segmentwas probablyin usethrough the 1860s.The road wasoriginally utilized for movement of suppliesfrom the MissouriRiver landings to the frontier military poststo the west.

This preserved segment of road was improved through excavation of the slope providing a flatter surface and decreasingthe angle of descent. Spoil piles from the excavation are still present, with the mosl prominent along the northeast side of the cut. Near the top of the upland the road measures7.3 meters wide on the flat road surface and widens out near the bottom of the slope to 11.1 meters. Total width of this segment varies from 14.8meters to 19.2 meters as measured from the top of the spoil piles.

A possibleolder segmentof unimproved road is still present near the center of the site and just nortb of the improved segment. This segment appears to have originally used a more serpentine approach to the creek bottom.

The site is currently overgrown with trees and brush. During the original period of use it was almost certainly open grassland. The growth of the trees and brush has served to help stabilize the area and slow erosion. However, some water erosion is continuing along the middle of the road track with a 1-to 2-foot deep channel being cut. Modern trash dumping has and continues to occur on the site. The lower edge of the site lines up with a later bricked section of Military Avenue. This bricked section appearsto be coterminous with the older unimproved wagon track.

Statement of Significance

The nominatedsegment ofroad, locatedinOmaha, DouglasCounty, Nebraska issignificant atthestate level under Criterion A for its associationwith the military, road developmentand westward expansion. This section is part of the old Military Road that originally went from Omaha to . As such, it was the primary route usedby the military to transport supplies between the two points. The road also accommodated the movementof non-military suppliesand civilian settlers.The periodof significanceis from 1856to 1858. The year 1856denotes the year the road was first surveyed and the later date indicates the year the road first came into use.

Starting in the early 1840s,large numbers of immigrants began moving west of the Missouri River. Initially these settlers followed a few established routes such as the Oregon and Mormon Trails. By the late 1840s,however, yariants to the well-known roads began to be developed. Some trails were initiated and financed by local communities that hoped to become,or strengthen their position as, freighting centers for NPSlrornr l0-900-a OMll No. 1024-0018 (8- 86)

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service

National @ister of Historh Places GontinuatklnSlret Military Road Segment Nameof Property Douglas, Nebraska Section 8 Page 2 County and State

Statement of Signlficance (continued)

points west. But most road building projects were beyond tbe financial meansof local and state governments. The responsibility then fell on the federal government. While some of the routes had already been laid out by early explorers and settlers, the national government's agents became the primary decision makers on where the new roads would be constructed.

Within the government, the main burden for construction went to the United StatesArmy. The early frontier roads, developedby the army, often became known as military roads. Despite this designation these routes served as wagon roads for early settlers "and when a community was occupied they were quickly used for commercial purposes."t

As part of this road construction Congressappropriated $50,000in 1855to establish a more direct route between Omaha and Fort Kearny (near present-day Kearney). The following year the army appointed Lieutenant John Dickerson to lead the survey and construction project. As he considered possible routes he was ordered to take into consideration construction costs,river crossings,and supplies of wood and water.'

Leaving from Omaha, Dickerson's group followed the Mormon's "Winter Quarters' Trail" that led them across the Little and Big Papillion rivers and then on to the Elkhorn River (fig. 1). Dickerson noted that the "broken country between the Missouri and the Elkhorn had made the route circuitous and would necessitate extensive grading on approachesto streams..3Captain Edward Beckwith replaced Lt. Dickerson in 1857,and while no road improvements occurred because of a lack of funding a new surv€y was completed. The following year the road builders commenced work in April and immediately began improving the road out of Omaha that Dickerson had preliminarily established.

A lack of written documentation after Dickerson's 1857 report makes it difficult to determine exactly how the development of the road progressed. In his report to Congress,Dickerson noted that the road he surveyed in 1857 from Omaha to Fort Kearny was 189 miles long and "very circuitous' between the Missouri and Elkhorn rivers.' However, Captain Beckwith, in his report to Congress,described the military road he laid out two years later, connecting the same points, as being 180 miles.) The nine-mile discrepancy between the two routes may have resulted from Beckwith straightening a northern loop originally taken by Dickerson when he crossedthe Little Papillion on the Mormon Road.o An 1868 survey map (fig. 2) does not show this loop, but rather indicates a relatively direct route to the Little Papillion. Still, it cannot be determined with complete certainty that the 1868 map depicts the road established by Beckwith.

The next documented change is illustrated on an 1885 county survey map (fig 3). The survey was done as patt of a road abandonment project. This map shows the route as being even straighter than in 1868. Had the abandonment included the nominated ruts it would _help explain why they are still present, but the accompanying surveyors' notes do not support this thesis.' Rather the abandoned section was southeast of the ruts in question.

The final documentis a contemporarymap (fig. 4) that showsthe current Military Avenue and the center line of the Old Military Avenue (road). The ruts lie betweenthese two features. This would seemto indicate that at somepoint after 1885 the Military Road was realigned and the area containing the ruts abandoned,thus helping to ensuretheir preservation.

Even though the history of theseparticular ruts cannot be traced with precision, there is no doubt they are part of the old Military Road that originally went from Omaha to Fort Kearny. As such, they are eligible Nl)S Iiornt l0-900-ir OMll No. 1024-0018 (8- 86)

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service

National@ister of Historic Places GontinuationSheet Military Road Segment Nameof Property Douglas, Nebraska Section 8,9,10 Page 3 County and State

Statement of Significance (continued)

at the state level under Criterion A for their association with the military and westward expansion. The establishment of this road also helped ensure that Omaha continued as an important freighting station and a jumping-off point for travellers going west. Finally, these ruts are an incredibly rare resource given their location in a highly developed urban area.

Bibllography

Jackson, W. Turrentine. Waeon Roads West. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press,1964.

Mattes, Merrill J. The Great Platte River Road. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, 1969.

Lincoln: Nebrasak State Historical Society. File DO09:0684-001.Charles Martin letters.

United States General Land Office. RG509, Series Five, Roll 1. Lincoln. Nebraska State Historical Society.

United StatesSenate. 1858. Message of the Presidentof the United States.35th Cong.,lst sess.

Verbal Boundary Description

Beginning at a point that bears N 90' 15' east 775 ft from the southwest corner of Section 35, Township 16 North of Range 12 East, thence south 66' 15'east 313 ft, thence south 45' 45'east 555 ft, thence north 72' west 105 ft, thence north 57' 45' west 1009 ft, thence south 53' enst 225 ft, thence south 66' 15' east 144 ft to the place of beginning located in the SW quarter of SW quarter of Section 35 and SE quarter of SE quarter of Section 34, Township 16 North of Range 12 East.

Boundary Justification

This area includes all continuous ruts and remnants of the contieuous ruts included in the nomination.

End Notes

1. W. Turrentine Jackson,Wagon RoadsWest (Lincoln: University of NebraskaPress), p.1.

2. Jackson,Wagon RoadsWest, p.732.

3. Jackson,Wagon RoadsWest, p.1,33.

4. U.S.,Senate, Message of the Presidentof the United States,35th Cong.,1.st sess., 4 January 1858,p.529.

5. U.S.,Senate, 35th Cong.,Lst sess., 4 January 1858,p.534.

6. Correspondence.File DO09:0684-001.Nebraska State Historical Society,Lincoln.

7. Nebraska,Douglas County, "Report of Commissionerin Favor of Petition", 18 September 1885. Figv(e I t€eq 3urrv €\ tvla-e

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