By Ammodramus - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18589345
The cache is NOT at the posted coordinates.
Fort Hartsuff, located near Elyria, Nebraska, was established in 1874 to protect settlers and travelers on the Great Plains. It was one of the numerous forts constructed during the westward expansion of the United States. The fort played a crucial role in maintaining order in the region, particularly during the conflicts with Native American tribes.
Initially, Fort Hartsuff was built to guard the Loup River valley and was active during the Plains Indian Wars. It housed soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry, who were responsible for patrolling the area and protecting the settlers from potential attacks.
The fort was designed in a typical military fashion, with barracks, officer quarters, a hospital, stables, and other necessary facilities. It was strategically positioned to oversee the surrounding landscape and maintain communication with nearby outposts.
Throughout its operational years, Fort Hartsuff served as a base for various military activities, including patrols, reconnaissance missions, and occasional engagements with Native American tribes. However, with the decline of hostilities in the late 19th century, the need for such outposts diminished, leading to the fort's eventual abandonment in 1881.
Today, Fort Hartsuff is preserved as a historic site managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Visitors can explore the well-preserved buildings, exhibits, and learn about the fort's role in the settlement of the Great Plains and its significance in American history.
----- N 44 21.281 W 094 11.841
One of the oldest roads in the state, Fort Road was originally built by the federal government after Fort Ridgely was completed in 1853-54. Supplies were shipped from Fort Snelling to Traverse des Sioux, then transported by wagon to Fort Ridgely.
Nicollet County Road 5 runs more than 42 miles from its eastern terminus at its intersection with US Highway 169 in St Peter to the Renville County line. Old Fort Road presumably extended from Traverse des Sioux, although the portion running through the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College has been blocked off. Fort Road as an address runs from the western edge of St Peter to the end of CR-5.
In an ideal world, a paved trail would have been installed when the road was refurbished in the early 2010s. This planned geocache trail will have to suffice, but won’t alleviate my anxiety when biking here.