Fort Solomon facts for kids

In early 1864, brave settlers in Ottawa County, Kansas, started building a special place called Fort Solomon. They finished it by the spring or summer of that year. This new fort was much bigger and stronger than an older, smaller shelter called Chapman's Dugout, which was about a mile south. The settlers needed a safe place because there were often conflicts with some Native American groups in the area.

Fort Solomon was built in a great spot on the east side of the Solomon River. It was on flat ground, and the river's deep bank protected its western side. This location gave people inside the fort a clear view in every direction, which was important for safety.

Building Fort Solomon

When Fort Solomon was finished in the spring or summer of 1864, it was quite impressive. It had about twenty log houses built in a square shape. These houses were all surrounded by a strong fence made of logs, called a stockade. Around fourteen families lived inside the fort, finding safety and community there.

Inside the Fort Walls

Even though we don't know the exact layout of Fort Solomon, we do know some cool things about it. There might have been a store operating from one of the log cabins. The fort also had its own well for water and a schoolhouse, so children could continue their learning. There were at least three gated entrances, allowing people to come and go safely.

The Dugout Shelter

Inside the fort, there was also a special dugout. This was a very safe shelter, dug five feet deep into the ground. It was built with strong timbers, and its walls and roof were covered with two or three feet of earth. This made it very secure, and it might even have had small openings for defense.

The Solomon Valley Militia

While the fort was being built, a group of about thirty men formed the Solomon Valley Militia. A militia is like a local volunteer army. They were armed with older guns and a small cannon, possibly a mountain howitzer. Most of these weapons came from Fort Riley, another important fort nearby.

Life at Fort Solomon

From the summer of 1864 to the spring of 1865, most of the settlers in the area lived inside Fort Solomon. The fort offered them protection during a time of uncertainty. A small town called Lindsey, Kansas, even grew up right outside the fort, benefiting from its safety. For a while, Lindsey was even the main town for Ottawa County.

The Fort's End

By the late 1860s, the conflicts with Native American groups became less frequent. Because the area was safer, Fort Solomon was no longer needed as much, and people started to leave. Over time, without anyone to look after them, the log structures of the fort slowly fell apart. Today, it's a reminder of the challenges and resilience of early settlers in Kansas.