A former departmental headquarters of historic Fort Omaha in the late 1800’s, now the Metropolitan Community College media and library center, in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
The Siouxland region and parts surrounding Siouxland are steeped in history. As hard as it is to remember sometimes that Iowa, Nebraska, both Dakotas and other midwest and western states were at one time open territory and prairie before the land rush that brought settlers and others who “tamed the land”. Previously populated by Native American Tribes that followed the buffalo and other seasonal practices involving roaming a large swatch of land.
A sign post with history about historic Fort Omaha, now the Metropolitan Community College, in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
A large part of the college is still open as it was during the days the fort was in use, primarily as parade grounds or muster grounds for troops located or passing through to other outposts.
History of the Omaha barracks and parade grounds at historic Fort Omaha, now the Metropolitan Community College, in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
The parade grounds at historic Fort Omaha, now the Metropolitan Community College, in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
As warmer weather approaches it will be nice to be able to spend more time learning about area history as opposed to rushing back to a warm vehicle out of the cold. And seeing what other gems are about Siouxland.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Part of the parade grounds at historic Fort Omaha, now the Metropolitan Community College, in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
lostinsiouxland 
Today we are doing “teacher topics” at my school- the teachers get to talk about something they love and teach it to the kids. I’m talking about travel and travel writing. I used your blog to show them the cool places all around us! Iowa is about a 5-7hr drive (depending)- and totally some great history! Thanks for helping me inspire today!
Allison, You are very welcome and thank you for the nice words. Sadly, it’s only as I have gotten older that I appreciate the immediate history and visiting places nearby. And now being semi-retired I enjoy in seeking out and learning more about the area. Thank you for helping kids gain an interest in seeing other places. I have not made that many trips to eastern Iowa, but there are places I am wanting to visit and hang out and find some new coffee shops to peruse. Years ago I remember visiting a state park in Ohio while there for a photo news editor workshop. Someplace near Athens I believe since Rich clark was giving the workshop. I stayed an extra day to go hiking and just remember a waterfalls and nice trails to wander and wishing I had more time.
jerry