Built in 1879 by the US Army for American Frontiers and Civil War General George Crook and his family, the Crook house was once an important fixture within Fort Omaha, a military post during a particularly contentious point in United States history. Constructed by Crook’s troops between the summer of 1878 and the spring of 1879, the home was built from plans drawn by Civil War veteran and engineer George W. Field.
The Italianate architecture of the home is evident in the vertical emphasis, and is complemented by the use of Second Empire style. Tall, narrow windows feature decorative crowns and ornamental arches, leading upward toward the steep Mansard roof. The exterior of the home is balanced and almost perfectly symmetrical, a testament to the attention paid to even the smallest of details. Cast iron elements, such as the balustrades and railings, add to the home’s sophistication and interest.
The use of military personnel to build the home was an exercise in frugality for General Crook, who had been allotted a generous $10,000 to build his home (the equivalent of about $315,000 today). Through the use of military labor and a creative utilization of cost-effective material, Crook was able to have the entire home finished for $7,716.
While General Crook was a conscious spender, he knew that his position required he maintain a certain stature, and that some stately elements of the home were non-negotiable, like the two open porches supported by Doric columns beneath the hipped roofs. A grand staircase off the main hall leads to the second floor, where the master bedroom faces east toward the front of the house. Crook and his wife, Mary, had adjoining rooms connected by a door between.
In 1975, amid pressure by local historians to preserve the landmark, Metropolitan Community College acquired the fort before reaching an agreement with the Historical Society to restore the old building.
The two-story, 5,000-square-foot structure is now home to the Douglas County Historical Society Museum, and is located at 5730 N 30th street.
“Once you walk in the doors, it’s very easy to get pulled into the beauty of the General Crook House,” said Cindy Henzel, treasurer on the board of directors with DCHS and an active volunteer. “It’s full of fascinating history, and it connects people to a really important story about what was going on in our country at that point in history. Not just for this general and his family, but for our military, our citizens, and for the Native people who were so greatly impacted by the events that were taking place.”
The Crook House now serves as a museum with rotating exhibits provided by local collectors or the Historical Society archives. Volunteers generously share their knowledge of the home and its furnishings, as well as information about General Crook and the important role he played in American history.
“I want people to walk away with an understanding of what was happening in the 1870s and 1880s in our country. Many people don’t have an understanding of how Fort Omaha and Fort Crook are so intimately tied together,” Henzel said. “We put so much effort into caring for and presenting these archives, and are so grateful to have this beautiful space where we can share with the public.”
Visit General Crook House on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends from 1-4 p.m.
For more information, visit douglascohistory.org.
This article originally appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Omaha Home Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
