Genoa Indian Industrial School
Genoa Indian Industrial School was a boarding school built on former Pawnee reservation land in Nebraska, operating from 1884 to 1934 and educating children from over forty tribes. The campus held more than 30 buildings across 640 acres and combined classroom instruction with half-day work training in carpentry, sewing, farming, and other vocational skills.
The school opened in 1884 after the Pawnee had relocated to Oklahoma, becoming one of the largest Indian boarding schools with over 4,300 students served during its 50-year operation. It was one of more than 300 such schools across the country implementing government policies to assimilate Native American children into mainstream society.
The school's name came from an Italian city, though it was built on former Pawnee reservation land as part of government efforts to reshape Native American life. Visitors can encounter multiple stories here, including both institutional policies and the personal experiences of students who found ways to maintain their identities.
The site is located in Genoa, Nebraska, near Highway 22 on East Webster Avenue and is easily accessible on foot. Visits are best arranged between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when guided tours can be scheduled in advance by calling ahead.
The original school building from 1884 now houses an interpretive center founded in 1999 by a local foundation dedicated to documenting and sharing survivor experiences. The site also hosts annual reunions for former students and their families, creating space to preserve and exchange personal stories often overlooked in official accounts.
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