Fort Harker

Located in the North Central Region of KS, Ellsworth County. State Hwy. 140, W edge of Kanopolis. This fort provided protection to the Kansas Stage Line and military wagon trains traveling the Fort Riley Road and Smoky Hill Trail. The famous Butterfield Overland Despatch (Spelling 'Despatch' is accurate), began operation in 1865 along the Smoky Hill Trail to Denver. In 1866. Young Bill Cody took his first scouting job at the fort. While hunting buffalo for the railroads, he became known as Buffalo Bill. In November 1866 a three-day peace council held at Fort Harker, it failed, with the Cheyenne vowing to drive the soldiers off the Plains. Fort Harker served as a supply depot and distribution point for forts in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and N Texas, and General Sheridan's winter campaign of 1868-69 was developed at the post. Four of the original stone fort buildings remain. The Union Pacific Railroad, Eastern Division, was completed to Fort Harker in 1866, establishing rail communication with the East.

Location: Kanopolis Kansas Telephone 785-472-3059

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