Cantonment Reno

Cantonment Reno was established in 1876 to serve as a supply base for the U.S. Army during campaigns to drive Plains Indian groups out of prime hunting grounds and eventually onto reservations. In two months time, 42 buildings were erected, including multiple storehouses, living quarters, and a hospital. The cantonment was a makeshift affair built with lumber from nearby cottonwood trees, canvas, and whatever materials were available. In November of 1876, thousands of troops in General George Crook’s expedition arrived at the cantonment and made preparations for attacking the vulnerable winter camps of Cheyenne and Sioux groups with the intent of destroying important winter supplies. On November 25th, part of Crook’s expedition under the leadership of Colonel Mackenzie attacked a village of Cheyenne on the nearby Red Fork of the Powder River. Taken by surprise, the army defeated the Cheyenne, but sustained several casualties in the battle, including that of Lieutenant John A. McKinney. During this engagement, Cantonment Reno provided logistical support for the army as well as rudimentary care for those wounded in battle. Shortly thereafter, Cantonment Reno was renamed Fort McKinney in honor of the fallen lieutenant. By 1878, the simple fort on the west bank of the Powder River lacked adequate supplies of lumber and water and was relocated to the Clear Fork of the Powder River near present-day Buffalo. Today, visitors can walk the grounds of Cantonment Reno and see shallow depressions in the earth where buildings once stood—the only vestiges of the former post that serve as reminders of turbulent times on the Northern Plains more than a century ago.

Protect Our Heritage!
Archaeologists are still piecing together the past of Cantonment Reno. Please do not collect artifacts or use a metal detector at the site.