Fort Dodge, Kansas Sutlers Store and Cafe Fort Dodge is located approximately 5 miles east of Dodge City, Kansas, on Highway 400 and is the oldest permanent settlement in this area of Kansas. The fort was used from 1865-1882. The first buildings were sod and adobe, and the first wooden buildings were erected in 1866 when lumber arrived. Although Fort Dodge was only used as a fort for 17 years that is longer than many of the frontier forts whose functions changed as the region developed. In January 1890, Fort Dodge was deeded to the State of Kansas and repurposed as the Kansas State Soldiers Home. When the Soldiers Home opened, residents included veterans of the Mexican-American War, Indian Campaigns and both sides from the Civil War. Today the 752 acre campus offers long term nursing care, domiciliary care and cottages for US service veterans. It is managed by the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs. Veterans must be discharged from Active Federal Service. Such discharge shall have been under conditions other than dishonorable. The nearby Kansas Veterans' Cemetery was opened in 2002. At normal times, most of the historic campus is open to the public and visitors are welcome to walk or drive through the grounds. There is library and a museum in the army quartermaster building was built in 1866. The museum is open 9 AM - Noon (but the sign does not say which days). To visit the museum at other times, call Roger Behne at (620) 353-9308.
copyright 2006-2024 by Keith Stokes |
