Fort Larned National Historic Site facts for kids
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Fort Larned National Historic Site
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Fort Larned Flagpole and Commissary Building
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 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pawnee County, Kansas, Kansas route 156, USA |
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| Nearest city | Larned, Kansas |
| Area | 718 acres (2.91 km2) |
| Built | 1860 |
| Architect | Quartermaster Dept., U.S. Army |
| Visitation | 21,895 (2020) |
| Website | Fort Larned National Historic Site |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000107 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHS | August 31, 1964 |
Fort Larned National Historic Site is a special place that helps us remember an old fort called Fort Larned. This fort was open from 1859 to 1878. It's located about 5.5 miles (8.8 km) west of Larned, Kansas, in the United States. The site protects the fort's original buildings and tells the story of its important role in American history.
Contents
Fort Larned's Early Days and Purpose
Why Fort Larned Was Built
The fort started as a small camp called "Camp on Pawnee Fork" on October 22, 1859. Its main job was to protect people traveling on the Santa Fe Trail. This trail was a busy road for trade and travel across the country. The camp also protected travelers from some Native Americans who sometimes caused trouble.
In 1860, the camp was renamed Camp Alert. This name showed that the small group of about 50 soldiers had to be ready for anything. Later that year, the camp moved a few miles upstream and became Fort Larned.
Naming the Fort
Fort Larned and the nearby town of Larned, Kansas, were named after Colonel Benjamin Larned. He was the paymaster general of the United States Army. This meant he was in charge of paying the soldiers. Colonel Larned had a long career in the military, fighting in the War of 1812. Even though the fort was named after him, Colonel Larned never actually visited Kansas.
Protecting the Santa Fe Trail
As America grew, more and more trade happened in the western territories. In 1859, trade was worth about $10,000,000 each year. Many wagons, horses, and goods traveled from Missouri to New Mexico. Because of this busy trade, a new fort was needed to keep the routes safe.
William Bent, an agent for the local Native American tribes, helped choose the fort's location. He believed that having soldiers at places like Fort Larned would help keep the peace.
First Buildings and Early Peace
The first buildings at Fort Larned were not very strong. They were made of adobe bricks. The fort had places for officers, soldiers, a guardhouse, and a hospital. A bakery and a meat house were added later.
After the fort was built, the local Native American tribes began to respect the trail. In 1861, a report from Fort Larned said that the Native Americans had left the area. There was no fear of fighting at that time.
Challenges and Changes at the Fort
The Civil War's Impact
When the American Civil War started in 1861, things changed at Fort Larned. Many regular soldiers left to fight in the war back East. Volunteer soldiers from Kansas, Colorado, and Wisconsin took their place. During the war, attacks on travelers by some Native American groups increased.
For example, on July 17, 1864, Kiowa warriors raided Fort Larned. They stole 172 horses and mules from the fort's corral. The soldiers chased them but could not catch them. By 1865, all merchants traveling west past Fort Larned needed an armed escort.
Battles and Treaties
Fort Larned was never directly involved in any Civil War battles. However, one event almost brought the fighting to the fort. In May 1862, a Confederate general planned to capture Forts Larned and Wise with the help of some Kiowa and Seminole warriors. But the plan never happened because the warriors left for their yearly hunt.
In 1867, a meeting happened at Fort Larned between General Winfield Scott Hancock and several Cheyenne chiefs. General Hancock wanted to show off his military power. After the meeting, Hancock and George Armstrong Custer traveled west of the fort. They found a Cheyenne and Lakota camp, which caused the villagers to run away. Hancock ordered the village to be burned. This event started a summer of fighting known as Hancock's War. Fort Larned helped end this war by providing supplies for the Medicine Lodge Treaty.
Later, in 1868–69, U.S. Major General Philip H. Sheridan led a campaign against Native American tribes. His soldiers attacked those who resisted and forced many onto reservations. By the end of this campaign, most Native Americans in the Fort Larned area were on reservations.
New Buildings and the Fort's End
Between 1866 and 1868, Fort Larned got a big makeover. The old adobe buildings were replaced with strong sandstone structures. These are the buildings you can see at the fort today.
By 1871, wagon trains on the Santa Fe Trail no longer needed military escorts. This meant there was less need for soldiers in the area. The fort was officially closed on July 13, 1878. A few years later, in 1883, the land was given to the Department of the Interior.
Becoming a Historic Site
From 1885 to 1966, the fort's buildings were used as the headquarters for a large ranch. The ranch owners lived in the commanding officer's house. Their workers lived in the old officers' quarters.
In 1957, a group called the Fort Larned Historical Society was started. They wanted to turn the fort into a place for visitors. The fort was recognized as a National Landmark in 1961. In 1964, it became part of the National Park System, which helps protect important places.
Exploring Fort Larned Today
Fort Larned is one of the best-preserved forts from the time of the Indian Wars. It has nine historic buildings that look much like they did long ago. Many of the buildings, like the barracks and officers quarters, are furnished with items from that period.
Fort Larned National Historic Site is open every day of the year. Admission is free! You can enjoy special events, watch people demonstrate how things were done in the past, and take tours with park rangers.
What You Can See at the Fort
Barracks
The barracks were where the soldiers lived. They were on the north side of the fort. Up to four companies of soldiers could live here. Usually, there were about 100 to 150 troops. At its busiest in 1868, there were between 400 and 500 soldiers.
Shops
Skilled workers, not soldiers, did most of the repairs at the fort. Blacksmiths and carpenters earned good money. In 1867, a blacksmith made $85 a month. Soldiers with special skills could also work in the shops. The bakery was at one end of the shops. It baked bread that was left to dry for a few days before being eaten.
Warehouses
Frontier forts needed to store lots of supplies. This included food, ammunition, and clothing for the Army. The first sandstone buildings built after the blockhouse were warehouses. The Old Commissary and the Quartermaster Storehouse had special openings. These "loopholes" allowed soldiers to defend the fort with rifles if it was attacked.
Officers' Row
This building housed the officers of four companies. A typical company had two lieutenants and one captain. The building was split into two halves, each with four rooms. Lieutenants usually had one room, while captains might have two. Each half also had a kitchen and rooms for servants.
Blockhouse
The blockhouse was the first sandstone building finished. It was built for defense, with two floors and loopholes for rifles. It even had an underground well. As the danger of attacks went down, the blockhouse became the fort's prison. The well tunnel was partly filled and used for solitary confinement. The rifle loopholes were also filled in. The blockhouse is the only sandstone building that has been completely rebuilt, but it stands on its original foundation.
Special Units at Fort Larned
Many different military units were stationed at Fort Larned during its 19 years of operation. One very important unit was the 10th U.S. Cavalry. This unit was at Fort Larned from 1867 to 1869.
The 10th U.S. Cavalry was one of the first two all-black cavalry units in the country. These soldiers were often called "Buffalo Soldiers." On January 2, 1869, the stables for the 10th Cavalry at Fort Larned burned down. Many horses died, and equipment was lost. Because of this, the unit was moved to Fort Zarah.
In 1999, scientists used special tools to try and find where the stables used to be. They found signs that showed where buildings might have stood. They also found evidence of changes to the land after the fort was no longer used by the military.
Images for kids
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Schematic of Fort Larned National Historic site
