Fort Brooks facts for kids

Fort Brooks was a small fort built in Kansas during 1864. It was located in northwest Clay County, Kansas, about three miles west of Clifton, Kansas. The fort was built on the north bank of the Republican River. It was named after George D. Brooks, who owned the farm where the fort stood. Brooks was an ensign, a junior officer, in the Shirley County Militia. Captain Isaac M. Schooley, the militia's leader, was also in charge of Fort Brooks.

Why Fort Brooks Was Built

The main reason Fort Brooks was built was to protect the settlers living in the area. Settlers were people who moved to new lands to build homes and farms. At that time, there were many attacks, and the settlers needed safe places. Before Fort Brooks, people often went to Fort Clifton for safety. Some even found refuge in Clay Center, Kansas, where a temporary fort made of wagons was set up.

The land around Fort Brooks was mostly flat. This gave a clear view in many directions, like north, east, and west. However, the view to the south, across the river, might have been blocked by thick bushes.

Building the Fort

The local volunteer army, called the Shirley County Militia, received supplies for the fort. They got twenty muskets, which are types of guns, and sixty boxes of ammunition from Fort Riley.

Building Fort Brooks caused some arguments among the settlers. Some people thought the chosen spot was not good for defense. They worried that attackers could hide in the bushes across the river and shoot at the fort. This disagreement led to a heated meeting. Because of this, some settlers decided not to rely on the fort and chose to protect themselves.

At least one log blockhouse was built at Fort Brooks. A blockhouse is a strong, small building often used for defense. It is not clear if more than one building was constructed there.

Life at Fort Brooks

Once it was built, Fort Brooks was only used by soldiers for about a week. However, two or three families stayed there for protection throughout the entire winter of 1864. In November 1864, the settlers asked the commander at Fort Riley to send soldiers to help guard the area. But no troops were sent to Fort Brooks.

The End of Fort Brooks

Eventually, the problems with attacks in the area stopped. When this happened, Fort Brooks was no longer needed as a defensive structure. George Brooks, who owned the land, then used the fort buildings for his stables.