Fort Montgomery (Linn County) facts for kids

Fort Montgomery was a special fortress home built from logs in 1855. It was constructed by a man named James Montgomery about five miles west of Mound City, Kansas, in Linn County.

Montgomery was an important leader for the "free-state" side in Kansas Territory. This was a time when people in Kansas were fighting over whether the territory would allow slavery or be free. His first home had been burned down by people who supported slavery. So, Montgomery built this new home, which he called Fort Montgomery, to protect himself and his family.

What Was Fort Montgomery?

Fort Montgomery was designed to be a strong defensive building. It had many features that helped the people inside protect themselves. For example, it had special openings called rifle ports. These allowed people to shoot from inside the fort while staying safe.

The fort was built on the side of a hill. This gave the people inside a clear view of the land for miles to the south. This wide view was very helpful for spotting any danger coming their way.

Why Was Fort Montgomery Built?

Fort Montgomery was built during a very tense time in Kansas history, especially before the Civil War began. This period was known as "Bleeding Kansas" because there was a lot of violence between people who wanted Kansas to be a free state and those who wanted it to allow slavery.

James Montgomery was a strong supporter of Kansas becoming a free state. Because of his beliefs, he and his family faced many dangers. People who supported slavery, sometimes called "border ruffians," often tried to attack free-state settlers. They tried to shoot people inside the fort or even set it on fire. The fort's strong design helped Montgomery and his family stay safe during these attacks.

Fort Montgomery During the Civil War

When the American Civil War started, James Montgomery became an officer in the U.S. Army. This meant he was often away from home, serving his country. Even though he was gone, Fort Montgomery still played an important role.

Throughout the war, the fort was used off and on as a safe place. People would take refuge there to protect themselves from "guerrillas." Guerrillas were small groups of fighters who operated outside of regular armies. They often caused trouble and attacked people in the area. Fort Montgomery offered a strong shelter against these dangers.

The End of Fort Montgomery

Eventually, James Montgomery no longer needed the fort for defense. He left Fort Montgomery, and it was later taken down. The fortress home was demolished, meaning it was completely torn down, in 1915.