Fort Dodge, Military fort in Ford County, Kansas
Fort Dodge is a historic military installation in Ford County, Kansas, featuring preserved buildings from the 19th century and modern facilities. The grounds include structures from different construction periods that document how the fort developed over many decades.
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.
You can explore the grounds on your own and walk through the preserved buildings to see the history firsthand. The historic library on the site contains documents and information that help you learn more about the place's past.
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.
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