Iola's fort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iola's fort |
|
|---|---|
| Iola, Kansas | |
| Coordinates | 37°55′18″N 95°24′10″W / 37.9218°N 95.4028°W |
| Type | local militia fort; Civil War Army post |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Iola's militia and various Army units |
| Site history | |
| Built | ca. 1859 |
| In use | ca. 1859 - 1865 |
| Materials | stone, earth |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
built by Davis Parsons; commanded by various Army officers |
| Garrison | various Army units |
Iola's Fort was an important building in Iola, Kansas, during the American Civil War. It started as a simple stone building. Later, it became a strong fort. It helped protect the town from attacks during the war.
Contents
What Was Iola's Fort?
The town of Iola, Kansas, was started in 1859. Soon after, a two-story stone building was built. It stood at the corner of Jefferson and Madison streets. Davis Parsons, one of the first people to settle in Iola, built this structure.
The building was meant to be a safe place for the town. It was a spot where people could gather if there was danger. It also served as a defense center. People worried about attacks from groups called Bushwhackers. These were small groups who raided towns. They also worried about attacks from local Native American tribes. Luckily, the Native Americans in the area were peaceful. No Bushwhackers ever threatened Iola either. The stone building was not truly a fort at first.
Becoming a Civil War Fort
The stone building became a real fort when the American Civil War began. People worried about attacks from Confederate guerrillas. These were small groups of soldiers who fought outside the main armies.
To make the building stronger, it was turned into a blockhouse. A blockhouse is a small, strong fort. The entire block where the fort stood was made safe. Workers dug a trench around the block. They also built a wall of earth, called an earthen embankment, along the trench. This made it very hard for enemies to get close.
Life at the Fort During the War
Iola's Fort played a big role during the Civil War. It was used as a place to sign up new soldiers. The Army also kept troops in Iola for most of the war. These soldiers lived in the blockhouse. It served as their barracks, or living quarters.
Sometimes, as many as 400 soldiers were stationed in Iola. This showed how important the fort was. A nearby town, Humboldt, Kansas, was attacked twice in 1861. But Iola was never attacked by Confederate forces. The fort helped keep the town safe.
What Happened to the Fort?
After the Civil War ended in 1865, the fort was no longer needed. The earthen walls and trenches were removed. This made space for new buildings. The stone blockhouse itself was used as a hotel for many years.
In 1880, the old building was torn down. A new building was planned for the spot. Even then, people could still see the outlines of the old earthworks. In 1907, a new bank was built on the fort's site. Later, in 1931, a special plaque was placed on the bank. This plaque remembers the old Iola's Fort and its history.
