Place

Fort Larned's Sutlers' Complex

Aerial view of the location of both sutlers\' stores circled in red.
Fort Larned was unusual in having two sutlers operating at the same time.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

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11 - Fort Larned Sutlers' Complex

The post sutler was a merchant or trader licensed by the Army to sell goods on military land. They were an important part of fort life, providing goods and services not available to soldiers through the regular army supply system. Soldiers and officers could get such things as food, clothing, tobacco, and personal items from the sutler's store. 

Army regulations provided for one sutler per post so the trader who got the license had, in effect, a captive market. However, there were restrictions imposed by the Army for this privilege.  They were supervised by a post Council of Administration, which assessed a fee every few months  of several cents for each officer and enlisted man on the post. The Council also determined  “the quantity and kind of clothing, small equipment, or soldiers’ necessaries, groceries, etc.” the sutler had to have available for sale.  In order to keep soldiers from overspending their meager pay, the sutler was not allowed to extend credit to a soldier for over half of his monthly salary.  He also could not sell alcohol to them without the permission of their officers.

Due to a mix up, Fort Larned had two posts sutlers for several years. The two areas circled on the picture indicate the location of each sutler's operation. The red frame building to the west is where the original sutler's store was located. The building is a reconstruction of the sutler's quarters. The store itself was a sandstone building constructed in 1863. Where you are standing is the site of the second sutler's store. This second complex had a restaurant, general store, recreation hall, billiards, and a one-lane bowling alley for military and civilians.
 

Fort Larned National Historic Site

Last updated: April 26, 2021