High Plains Holiday

A Soldier’s Christmas Story at Fort Sidney

Imagine the scene: the wind sweeping across the Nebraska plains, a dusting of snow on the parade grounds, and the warm glow of lamplight spilling from the Post Commander’s Home. For soldiers stationed at Fort Sidney in the 1880s, Christmas brought a much-needed pause from duty — a chance to find joy, fellowship, and a little piece of home far from the comforts they left behind.

A Frontier Christmas

Life at the fort was rugged and disciplined, but during the holidays, soldiers and their families did their best to recreate the traditions they remembered. Evergreen boughs or other greenery — cedar, juniper, or even sagebrush — were used to dress the rooms when available, sometimes brought in from miles away or purchased via the rail line through Sidney. Handmade ornaments such as dried fruit slices, strung cranberries, and paper stars added a simple touch of festivity.

At the Post Commander’s Home, candles glimmered in the windows and the dining table was dressed in its finest — a stark contrast to the usual military fare. Roast game, preserved fruits, freshly baked bread, and strong coffee were often served if supplies allowed. And while official records are silent on the subject, it’s fair to assume the holiday table — and perhaps a few canteens — included a bit of cheer. After all, Sidney was famously home to more than eighty saloons and dance halls during its boom years, earning a reputation as one of the liveliest and rowdiest towns on the plains. Soldiers posted here didn’t have to look far for a festive libation.

A Community Gathering

Frontier posts across the Great Plains often celebrated together — officers, enlisted men, and their families sharing music, laughter, and a brief break from duty. The regimental band might play familiar tunes from back East while children recited poems or sang carols. Gifts were simple — a knitted scarf, a tin of sweets, or a letter from home — but deeply treasured.

It wasn’t uncommon for townspeople from nearby Sidney to join in. The line between post and town blurred during the holidays, as laughter and music drifted from the fort’s halls. In fact, in December 1882, soldiers from Fort Robinson were ordered to Fort Sidney to pick up “Christmas goods” for their post — proof that Sidney served as a holiday supply hub for other forts across the High Plains.

Lighting the Past

Today, the Fort Sidney Museum and Post Commander’s Home continue that tradition of warmth and light during the season. Visitors can experience a glimpse of those 19th-century holiday celebrations during our annual Lantern Light Tours, held this year on Friday, December 6, 5:00–8:00 p.m.

Step back in time, walk by lantern light through the decorated rooms, and discover how Sidney’s soldiers and families made the frontier feel like home for the holidays.

🎄 After the Lantern Tours, regular winter weekend hours resume December 6–28, 1–4 p.m.

📞 Call for tours year-round:
Mary Brumage, President: 308-249-1844
Julie Gehrig, Treasurer: 308-250-2536
Duane Nightingale, Guide: 308-249-7900