Tonwantonga - Omaha Indian Village in Dakota County
N 42° 21.240 W 096° 27.821
14T E 708889 N 4692197
Quick Description: Large Omaha Indian village on Omaha Creek in Dakota County, NE
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 7/8/2007 6:44:17 AM
Waymark Code: WM1TK1
Views: 71
Long Description:
An important Omaha Indian village called Tonwantonga (Large
Village) by the Omaha stood on Omaha Creek in this area. Ruled by
the great chief Blackbird, an estimated 1,100 people lived in this
earthlodge town about 1795 and it played an important role in
Indian and exploratory history.
Many explorers and fur traders visited this spot before 1800. Near
it the Spanish built a fort, armed it with heavy guns, and named it
Fort Charles honoring Charles IV.
The Lewis and Clark expedition visited the village August 13,
1804, finding it deserted, as the Omaha were away on an extended
buffalo hunt. The explorers stayed near the site for a week and
held a conference with three chiefs of the Oto tribe who had come
to make peace with the absent Omaha.
In 1800 disaster had struck the village as smallpox killed an
estimated 400 including the famous Chief Blackbird. After
Blackbird's death the village ceased to play so important a role in
the struggle for control of the Missouri Valley and the Plains
beyond.
Historical Land Mark Council
US 77, north of Homer
Dakota County
Marker 13
Visit Instructions:
Post Pictures:
1. Close up of historical marker
2. Picture of surrounding area (would prefer to have the marker in
the picture also). Thanks!