Cogan House History
The Cogan House was originated by the great, great aunt of owner Greg McCann, Bridgett Cogan. Mrs. Cogan (born Bridgett Cole) is a native of Ireland, born near Castlereagh, County Roscommon, December 19, 1840. Coming from a strong Irish family Bridgett’s life was filled with adventure, ups and downs, starting from the very beginning with her recently widowed mother, four brothers and herself traveling to America after coming upon hardships in Ireland. After a long thirteen week and three days trip on a ship that was already in bad condition and food that had spoiled the family reached New York and later settled on a farm in Newark, New Jersey.
Bridgett later married Michael Cogan, and had her only child, Andrew James Cogan. Unfortunately Michael had passed a few months after their son was born and Mrs. Cogan then had moved to Missouri and stayed during the trying period of the Civil War.
After the war, Bridgett had moved to Bon Homme county June, 1869, after receiving a request from her brother Barney to come and assist him at his home. Barney who had returned to the area after serving in the war found work as a blacksmith. There they opened there home that was later destroyed in a large prairie fire but soon after she was able to open Cogan House at the court house where she greeted many, many visitors. Mrs. Cogan, however, not only supplied an abundance of food to her many travelers, but also found time to speak a friendly word to each of her guests that stayed, whether he was a man of influence or a stranger. She was a good friend of the area Indians and they would sometimes camp in her field a thousand strong. From time to time a party of them would hold one of their ceremonial dances at her door, which was a great honor, she then usually repaid them by giving them a sack of flour. Her Indian name was Tanka Waaeche Utah Tepe, which is translated as "the big white woman who keeps the eating house." To show appreciation of favors shown to him and his people, the famous chief, Sitting Bull, sent her a gift of an immense hornspoon and a pair of moccasins trimmed with porcupine quills. Another daily guest at her hotel in the spring of 1873 was General Custer and the 7th Cavalry, they were on their way to his last battle on the Little Big Horn River in Wyoming but the Calvary was unable to travel during this period due to the high water on the Missouri. Seven of Custer’s men had died of typhoid fever during this time, all but one soldier were not named and their graves are marked 7th Cavalry at the nearby Bon Homme Cemetery not far from the Cogan House. During this time Bon Homme was a busy little town from 1862 to 1885 but when the railroad came into Bon Homme County in 1879 and Bon Homme was not included on its route. This was the start of the decline and what caused the demise of the town in 1885. After this many people moved to Tyndall leaving Bon Homme deserted and all that was left was the school house (which the replica still remains on the corner of Bon Homme Road) and the silent city of the Bon Homme Cemetery on the hill overlooking the Missouri River. Mrs. Cogan ended up retiring and closed the Cogan House and until just recent years, the Cogan House again welcomes all travelers, friends and families from around the world to come and enjoy the beauty of the Bon Homme area.
The Cogan House was originated by the great, great aunt of owner Greg McCann, Bridgett Cogan. Mrs. Cogan (born Bridgett Cole) is a native of Ireland, born near Castlereagh, County Roscommon, December 19, 1840. Coming from a strong Irish family Bridgett’s life was filled with adventure, ups and downs, starting from the very beginning with her recently widowed mother, four brothers and herself traveling to America after coming upon hardships in Ireland. After a long thirteen week and three days trip on a ship that was already in bad condition and food that had spoiled the family reached New York and later settled on a farm in Newark, New Jersey.
Bridgett later married Michael Cogan, and had her only child, Andrew James Cogan. Unfortunately Michael had passed a few months after their son was born and Mrs. Cogan then had moved to Missouri and stayed during the trying period of the Civil War.
After the war, Bridgett had moved to Bon Homme county June, 1869, after receiving a request from her brother Barney to come and assist him at his home. Barney who had returned to the area after serving in the war found work as a blacksmith. There they opened there home that was later destroyed in a large prairie fire but soon after she was able to open Cogan House at the court house where she greeted many, many visitors. Mrs. Cogan, however, not only supplied an abundance of food to her many travelers, but also found time to speak a friendly word to each of her guests that stayed, whether he was a man of influence or a stranger. She was a good friend of the area Indians and they would sometimes camp in her field a thousand strong. From time to time a party of them would hold one of their ceremonial dances at her door, which was a great honor, she then usually repaid them by giving them a sack of flour. Her Indian name was Tanka Waaeche Utah Tepe, which is translated as "the big white woman who keeps the eating house." To show appreciation of favors shown to him and his people, the famous chief, Sitting Bull, sent her a gift of an immense hornspoon and a pair of moccasins trimmed with porcupine quills. Another daily guest at her hotel in the spring of 1873 was General Custer and the 7th Cavalry, they were on their way to his last battle on the Little Big Horn River in Wyoming but the Calvary was unable to travel during this period due to the high water on the Missouri. Seven of Custer’s men had died of typhoid fever during this time, all but one soldier were not named and their graves are marked 7th Cavalry at the nearby Bon Homme Cemetery not far from the Cogan House. During this time Bon Homme was a busy little town from 1862 to 1885 but when the railroad came into Bon Homme County in 1879 and Bon Homme was not included on its route. This was the start of the decline and what caused the demise of the town in 1885. After this many people moved to Tyndall leaving Bon Homme deserted and all that was left was the school house (which the replica still remains on the corner of Bon Homme Road) and the silent city of the Bon Homme Cemetery on the hill overlooking the Missouri River. Mrs. Cogan ended up retiring and closed the Cogan House and until just recent years, the Cogan House again welcomes all travelers, friends and families from around the world to come and enjoy the beauty of the Bon Homme area.
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There is something for everyone near this quaint little bed and breakfast on the bluff, whether you are a history buff, outdoors man or looking for a breathtaking view with relaxation. Here are a few suggestions in the surrounding area. We suggest calling ahead to check hours of operation, see links below...
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Springfield is a small town located about 15 minutes from the Cogan House with a public pool, local grocery store, dining and beautiful golf course to enjoy. Please see contact information or links...
Doug’s Food Center 826 8th St Springfield Ph# 605-369-2811
Players Grill 710 8th Street Springfield Ph# 605-369-2288
Springfield Golf Course Ph# 605-369-5525 springfieldsd.com/available_buildings.htm
Springfield Recreation Park gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/springfield/
Casey’s Ph#605-369-2421 www.caseys.com/
Nearby Yankton is about 30 minutes from the Cogan House, with shopping, Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, entertainment and dining. Please see contact information or links.....
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/lewis-and-clark/
Yankton Convention and Visitors Center http://www.visityanktonsd.com/
Lewis and Clark Visitor Center Ph# 402-874-9900 http://mrb-lewisandclarkcenter.org/
Dakota Territorial Museum Ph#605-665-3898 http://www.dakotaterritorialmuseum.org/
There is a lot to offer in other surrounding areas as well. Take a tour through a buffalo and elk ranch, spend a June weekend celebrating Czech days or ride through the trails on a ATV or horseback. Please see contact information or links....
Talsma’s Trail Park ATV/ Horse Trails Ph# (605) 369-2401 http://talsmastrailpark.com/index.html
Kreycik Elk and Buffalo Tour Ph# 402-857-3850 http://nebraskaelktours.com/
Tabor Czech days http://www.taborczechdays.com/
Tyndall http://www.tyndallsd.com/
Discover Bon Homme http://www.discoverbonhomme.com/attractions/
Tatanka Golf Club Ph# 402-857-3504 http://www.tatankagolfclub.com/
Doug’s Food Center 826 8th St Springfield Ph# 605-369-2811
Players Grill 710 8th Street Springfield Ph# 605-369-2288
Springfield Golf Course Ph# 605-369-5525 springfieldsd.com/available_buildings.htm
Springfield Recreation Park gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/springfield/
Casey’s Ph#605-369-2421 www.caseys.com/
Nearby Yankton is about 30 minutes from the Cogan House, with shopping, Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, entertainment and dining. Please see contact information or links.....
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/lewis-and-clark/
Yankton Convention and Visitors Center http://www.visityanktonsd.com/
Lewis and Clark Visitor Center Ph# 402-874-9900 http://mrb-lewisandclarkcenter.org/
Dakota Territorial Museum Ph#605-665-3898 http://www.dakotaterritorialmuseum.org/
There is a lot to offer in other surrounding areas as well. Take a tour through a buffalo and elk ranch, spend a June weekend celebrating Czech days or ride through the trails on a ATV or horseback. Please see contact information or links....
Talsma’s Trail Park ATV/ Horse Trails Ph# (605) 369-2401 http://talsmastrailpark.com/index.html
Kreycik Elk and Buffalo Tour Ph# 402-857-3850 http://nebraskaelktours.com/
Tabor Czech days http://www.taborczechdays.com/
Tyndall http://www.tyndallsd.com/
Discover Bon Homme http://www.discoverbonhomme.com/attractions/
Tatanka Golf Club Ph# 402-857-3504 http://www.tatankagolfclub.com/