Old Commissary & Arsenal

The Old Commissary is the oldest surviving stone structure at the fort.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Larned, KS

Amenities

3 listed

Accessible Rooms, Cellular Signal, Wheelchair Accessible

Commissary 

The Old Commissary building was the first sandstone building completed in the post-Civil War building program. As troop levels went up the fort needed a better place to store food supplies. This building would serve as the Commissary Warehouse until the fort closed in 1878. 

Both "issue" and "non-issue" food supplies were stored here. The enlisted soldiers didn't pay for their food but were "issued" daily rations instead. Officers were given a food allowance and could purchase "non-issue" items at cost. A Commissary Officer was responsible for keeping track of all the supplies in the warehouse. He was assisted by several clerks, usually enlisted men who were assigned to the duty. 

Arsenal 

Although the main purpose of this building was food storage, as soon as it was completed in 1866 the west end was used to store ammunition. It wasn't a safe place to store the ammunition, but the fort didn't have a proper magazine, and it was better than the blockhouse, which had a leaky roof. 

Weapons, rounds of ammunition, and gunpowder were stored in the Arsenal. These included cartridges, for both the infantry and cavalry stationed here, as well as rounds and accouterments for the artillery. Ammunition would be stored in this building until 1872 when the old adobe hospital was converted to magazine. An Ordnance Sergeant supervised this area.