James Mason DiaryFORT KEARNY, NE

MAY 24, 1850

Diary of James Mason

From Marysville, NE to Fort Kearney,

NE

May 24 – traveled 25 m and encamped on plat it is very muddy and its bank is low & bottom quicksand the bottom

is large & extensiveMay 25 – traveled 1 –m & enc near

Fort Kerney

Diary of James Mason

California Oregon Trail from Independence, MO - to Hangtown (Placerville, CA)

Independence

Placerville

Ft Kearney, NE – May 25

Fort Kearney, NE

Fort Kearney, NE

Fort Kearney, NE

Stephen Watts Kearny surname also appears as Kearney in

some historic sources; August 30, 1794 – October 31, 1848

In the late 1820s after his career was established, Kearny met, courted and

married Mary Radford’, the stepdaughter of William Clark of the

Lewis and Clark Expedition. The couple had eleven children, of whom

6 died in childhood.

Long before early French explorers named it the Platte River, for "flat water," this heartland oasis was a crossroads. Migratory birds, abundant wildlife and native Americans were in residence for centuries when the confluence of the Oregon and Mormon Trails led pioneers to the site that would become Kearney. Bound for points further west, some hardy, yet visionary souls saw opportunities along the Platte and they stayed laying the foundation for what would become the Mid-western "work ethic." Now, at the very center of the country, as this great, braided river cuts an arc across the plains, Kearney, Nebraska faces a brilliant future. As America grew during the nineteenth century railroad developers also saw Kearney as a crossroads. Union Pacific, the Burlington & Missouri and other railroads followed the Platte River Valley to connect east to west. Today, Kearney lies at the center of the world's busiest rail corridor.

Fort Kearney, NE

In 1848, a fort was established to provide protection for travelers heading west along the Oregon Trail. Named for Colonel Stephen Watts Kearny, Fort Kearny afforded a safe haven for pioneers, pony express riders, prospectors and others as they followed the great Platte river road.

Fort Kearney, NE

Fort Kearney, NE

Fort Kearney State Park A few buildings

remain

Fort Kearney, NE

On the Nebraska Trails

Fort Kearney, NE

Fort Kearney State Park - Corner guard station

Fort Kearney, NE

Fort Kearney State Park - Corner guard station

ENDJames Mason DiaryFORT KEARNY, NE

MAY 24, 1850