Burlingame's Fort facts for kids
In 1862, the people of Burlingame, Kansas, built a special stone fort. This fort was built around the town's well, right in the middle of the business area. They built it to protect their town from being burned down by a Confederate fighter named William Anderson. He was later known as Bloody Bill Anderson. Anderson had lived nearby but had some serious problems and had to leave. When he left, he threatened to burn Burlingame.
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A Fort for Protection
The people of Burlingame worked day and night to build this circular fort. They wanted to finish it quickly to protect their homes.
How Was the Fort Made?
The fort was quite impressive when it was finished. It was about 25 feet wide and had very strong stone walls. These walls were 30 inches thick, which is about two and a half feet! The walls stood eight feet tall. There were 25 small openings, called gunholes, for defenders to shoot through if the town was attacked. People believed the fort was big enough to hold everyone in Burlingame safely inside its walls.
Who Guarded the Fort?
The fort was guarded by armed men or soldiers from time to time. When soldiers were there, they camped outside the fort, not inside it. Sometimes, the local men had to leave to fight against Confederate forces in other places. During these times, the women and children of Burlingame took on the important job of guarding the fort.
Aunt Fanny Hoover: A Brave Leader
A brave woman named Mrs. G. W. "Aunt Fanny" Hoover was in charge of the fort when the men were away. She made sure everyone was safe and ready to defend the town.
The Fort's Final Days
In September 1864, the men of Burlingame left to fight a large Confederate invasion led by Major General Sterling Price. Mrs. Hoover received news that the Union forces had been badly defeated. Believing this information, she decided to abandon the fort. However, the news about the Union defeat was actually wrong. After the American Civil War ended, the stones from the fort were used for a new purpose. They were used to help build a Baptist church in the town.
