Fort Dodge, Military fort in Ford County, Kansas

Fort Dodge stands on the south bank of the Arkansas River, a few kilometres east of Dodge City. The first quarters were dugouts cut into the river bank, later replaced by wooden and stone buildings; many of the stone ones still stand. Up to four companies of troops were posted here in its heyday.

The fort was established in 1865 by the US Army to protect travelers and workers along the Santa Fe Trail. A major turning point came in 1890 when the installation was converted into a soldiers' home and ended its military operations.

The fort transformed from a military installation into the Kansas Soldiers' Home in 1890, continuing its connection to military service through veteran care.

The site lies on the left bank of the Arkansas River, a few kilometres east of present-day Dodge City. Part of the grounds can be toured by the public, and many stone buildings from the post remain standing. The Kansas Soldiers' Home has occupied the site since 1890 and is still maintained there.

In its early years, the fort's structures were simple dugouts and sod houses before permanent wooden and stone buildings replaced them. These building phases show how settlers adapted to the challenges of life on the prairie.