Fort Lane (Kansas) facts for kids

Fort Lane was a small fort built in 1856 on top of Mount Oread, near what is now Lawrence, Kansas. It was created by the people living in Lawrence to help protect their town. From this high spot, they could see for many miles in every direction, which was perfect for spotting anyone who might try to attack.

Lawrence was known as a "free-state" community. This meant that most of its settlers came from northern states and were against slavery. From 1854 to 1861, before Kansas became a state, the area around Lawrence was often a place of conflict. People from both northern and southern states were settling there, and they had very different ideas about slavery. This made the region a "battleground" where tensions were high.

What Was Fort Lane Like?

Fort Lane was not a fancy building. It was a simple structure made from rough limestone rocks. In 1859, a person named John Ingalls described it as being about four feet tall. It had openings, called "embrasures," on three sides. These openings were designed for cannons, even though it didn't have a roof. Another person, Lieut. Col. Pierre St. George Cooke, called it a "small fort of rough dry wall." This means it was built without mortar, just stacked stones.

Fort Lane During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Fort Lane was sometimes used as a lookout spot. However, it wasn't used on August 21, 1863, when a group led by William Quantrill attacked Lawrence. This attack was a terrible event where many people lost their lives. It's quite surprising that the fort, built to protect the town, wasn't used during such a dangerous time.

By February 1864, the United States Army set up its own military post and fort on Mount Oread. Fort Lane became part of this new, larger defense system. After the Army left the area, Fort Lane remained standing for many years.

What Happened to Fort Lane?

Over time, the University of Kansas campus grew bigger and bigger. As the university expanded, it eventually covered the area where Fort Lane once stood. Because of this growth, the old fort disappeared. Today, there are no visible remains of Fort Lane on Mount Oread.