An Historical Investigation

Captains in the Army lived more comfortably with ample space and wood burning stoves in each of the three rooms - a parlor, bedroom and kitchen.

 

This Officer's outhouse, called a "privy," is behind the North Junior Officers' Quarters. The outdoor facilities are just as primitive as what the enlisted men used, but fewer people would have had access to this because of the ranking system  - and the privacy afforded an officer.

 

Water for a bath was collected from Pawnee Creek which is north of the barracks.  This bathtub was used for patients in the fort's hospital. How was the water heated for bathing?

 

Laundresses were the only women on the post who had official Army recognition.  Their tools of the laundry trade were washboards and lye soap.  The Sutler's Store would sell lye soap to the soldiers and travelers on the Santa Fe Trail.