Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Observation Balloon Training at Fort Omaha
Fort Omaha Walking Tour
After nine years of inactivity, Fort Omaha reopened in 1905 as a school for noncommissioned Signal Corps officers. A structure to house the army’s only dirigible (balloon airship) was completed in 1908, and the first dirigible flew in April 1909. Four years later all personnel and property were transferred to Fort Leavenworth.
Under threat of world war, Fort Omaha was reactivated in 1916 to house a Balloon School led by Captain Charles Chandler. In 1919 Florence Field, 119 acres about one-and-a-half miles north of here, was acquired for a subpost to provide space for more balloons.
Balloon training demanded many hours of map reading, charting enemy installations and troop movements, and refining methods to relay information. A telephone line from the balloon’s basket connected observers to an extensive switchboard system. Using a code, balloonists could direct artillery battery toward enemy installations. Even though a fixed balloon was a prime target itself, 16,000 men enthusiastically trained at Fort Omaha during World War I.
Because photoreconnaissance by airplane was still awkward and inaccurate, many types
Erected by Metropolitan Community College, Historical Society of Douglas County, and Nebraska Committee for the Humanities. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Education • Forts and Castles • War, World I. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1909.
Location. 41° 18.601′ N, 95° 57.458′ W. Marker is in Omaha, Nebraska, in Douglas County. Marker is on North Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in front of Building 10, on the Metropolitan Community College Campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Omaha NE 68111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Omaha Knights of Columbus Assembly Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Omaha Balloon School (within shouting distance of this marker); Quartermaster's Office and Commissary (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); General Crook's Headquarters at Fort Omaha (about 500 feet away); History of Fort Omaha (about 500 feet away); Fort Omaha Guardhouse (about 600 feet away); Crook House (about 700 feet away); President's House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Omaha.
Also see . . .
1. Fort Omaha. (Submitted on August 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. U.S. Army Ballooning History. (Submitted on August 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 559 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.