Fort Dodge is about 2.5 miles east
of Dodge City on Kansas Highway 154. The post was founded in 1865 to help
protect a long section of the Santa Fe Trail. The fort site had been previously
used as a campsite by Trail travelers because the wet and dry routes rejoined
at this point. A stage station preceded the fort, but it was burned by Indians.
Fort Dodge troops were charged with protection of stagecoaches, mail and
railroad construction crews. The fort was removed from service in 1872.
Although many of the original buildings have been remodeled, they illustrate
army life along the Santa Fe Trail.
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