Fort Dodge (1)

Fort Dodge (1) (1865-1882) - First established in 1865 by Brigadier General Washington l. Elliott. Probably named for Colonel Henry Dodge, 1st U.S. Dragoons. Abandoned in 1882. Fort Dodge 1867 Barracks Fort Dodge Hospital & Barracks Fort Dodge Commanding Officer Quarters History Fort Dodge Markers Established to protect travelers on the Santa Fe Trail against hostile Indians. The post was built just east of Dodge City, Kansas, 9 Sep 1865, on the north bank of the Arkansas River in Ford County, Kansas. Initially constructed of sod huts and rebuilt with stone in 1867, it eventually became a four company post. The post was abandoned 2 Oct 1882 and turned over to the Interior Department for disposition 12 Jan 1885. On 2 Mar 1889, Congress authorized transfer of the post to the Fort Dodge Solders Home and it opened 1 Jan 1890. Current Status Fort Dodge Museum and Library Currently the Fort Dodge Soldiers Home. Some original buildings remain including the commanding officers quarters, the hospital, the mortuary and two stone barracks. The 1867 building currently housing the Fort Dodge Museum and library served in several capacities over the years including a granary and commodities storage. Location: East of Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas. Maps & Images Lat: 37.731549 Long: -99.935986 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 2,454' Sources: Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 294 Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 59 Links: North American Forts - Fort Dodge Legends of America - Fort Dodge Fort Dodge Visited: 11 Oct 2011