LASR.net Homepage




Menu


Ton won tonga Site


category : Indian Heritage

Located near the town of Homer, Big Village or "Ton won tonga," the principal village of the Omaha tribe, was
occupied intermittently for nearly seventy-five years. The community was first constructed about 1775,
abandoned, and then reoccupied sometime prior to 1795. During the 1790s the Omaha at Big Village, under the
leadership of Chief Blackbird, resisted Spanish attempts to gain control of the Missouri River fur trade. Along
with the Ponca, the Omaha succeeded in discouraging the Spanish efforts by blocking their northward advance
and establishing themselves as "middlemen traders." Big Village was struck by the devastating 1800-1801
smallpox epidemic, forcing the Omaha to abandon the site. When Lewis and Clark ascended the Missouri in
1804, they found nearly 300 empty lodges at the site. Big Village probably was occupied again during the years
1810-22, 1832-41, and 1843-45. The site is listed as a National Historic Site.



Hours: Hwy 77, 2 miles North of Homer

Come visit us in South Sioux City, Nebraska

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Argosy's Belle of Sioux City Casino

Sioux City's riverboat casino features 12,000 sq. ft. on three decks with over 400

South Sioux City, NE Recreation

Sergeant Floyd Monument

On July21, 1804, when the Corps of Discovery was near the Council Bluff, Sergeant Charles Floyd wrote, "I am verry Sick and Has been for Sometime but have Recoverd my helth again..." Although he did not mention his health again, Floyd did not really improve and, on August 20

South Sioux City, NE Monuments

Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center

Board the M.V. Sergeant Floyd and begin a journey into the region's maritime history. Built in 1932 as an inspection boat by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center chronicles the Missouri River'

South Sioux City, NE Museums

Outlaw Trail - Nebraska Highway 12

The wild west era where famous outlaws, horse thieves, lynch mobs and lawmen ruled is past. Today, along the Outlaw Trail, travelers are greeted by friendly folks as well as plenty of quiet hideaways.

South Sioux City, NE Trails


Things to do Indian Heritage near South Sioux City, NE

Ton won tonga Site

Located near the town of Homer, Big Village or "Ton won tonga," the principal village of the Omaha tribe, w...