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
Other History nearby:
(Alden) Alden AT&SF Depot
(Lyons) Coronado-Quivira Museum
(Abilene) Dickinson County Heritage Ctr & Museum
(Abilene) Eisenhower Center
(Kanopolis) Fort Harker
(Hillsboro) Historic William F. Schaeffler House Museum
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04/19 Coming to The Kanopolis area
Wild West Festival Hays City KS July3-6 A typical Kansas fair -- parade, big name music stars, games, demonstrations, competitions and shows, including fireworks.
Dodge City Days Dodge City KS July26-August4 The 10-day celebration hosts more than 50 events including Q-97 FM DODGE CITY DAYS COUNTRY Concert,
the top-rated Dodge City Days Rodeo,
a 2-day Indoor Craft show with over 200 crafters from a 10-state area,
KidFest, and
Professional Barbecue Contest.
Kansas State Fair Hutchinson KS September6-15 Each year, over 400,000 visitors flock to the Kansas State Fair to visit a wide array of exhibits, partake in fabulous Fair food, and see the amazing butter sculpture.
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