Fort Riley, Kansas – History & Hauntings

Fort Riley, Kansas, stands as a testament to the rich and complex history of the American West. More than just an active military installation, it is a place where echoes of the past resonate, intertwined with tales of pioneers, soldiers, and even spectral encounters. This article delves into the history of Fort Riley, exploring its establishment, its role in pivotal moments in American history, and the eerie legends that have earned it a reputation as one of Kansas’s most haunted locations.

A Strategic Beginning

The story of Fort Riley begins in the autumn of 1852, when surveyors identified a strategically vital location near the geographical center of the United States. Initially dubbed Camp Center, its purpose was clear: to provide a military presence in the expanding territories of the West. In the spring of 1853, three companies of the 6th Infantry began the arduous task of constructing temporary quarters, marking the official genesis of the fort.

On June 27, 1853, Camp Center was officially renamed Fort Riley in honor of Major General Bennett C. Riley, a distinguished military figure who had led the first military escort along the Santa Fe Trail. General Riley had passed away earlier that month, and the fort served as a fitting tribute to his contributions.

The primary mission of Fort Riley, Kansas, was to safeguard the increasing number of pioneers and traders traversing the Oregon-California and Santa Fe Trails. These trails were vital arteries of westward expansion, and the fort provided a crucial layer of protection against potential threats, both from Native American tribes and other dangers of the frontier.

Building a Legacy in Limestone

The early construction of Fort Riley utilized the readily available native limestone, a decision that has contributed significantly to the fort’s enduring character. Many of these original limestone buildings still stand today, serving as tangible links to the fort’s formative years. By 1855, the post was a well-established military hub, and with the surge in westward migration, further expansion was authorized. In July of that year, 56 mule teams arrived, laden with materials and additional soldiers, signaling a period of rapid growth and development.

However, this period of expansion was tragically interrupted. Only weeks later, a devastating cholera outbreak swept through the fort. The epidemic, though short-lived, claimed the lives of an estimated 75 to 125 people, leaving a lasting scar on the community and potentially contributing to the later tales of hauntings.

Bleeding Kansas and Civil War Years

As the nation edged closer to Civil War, tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas escalated, leading to the period known as "Bleeding Kansas." Fort Riley found itself thrust into a dual role, not only protecting travelers on the Santa Fe Trail as Native American attacks increased but also "policing" the turbulent territory.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, the majority of troops stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, were deployed eastward to join the Union effort. However, a contingent remained to safeguard westward travelers, and the fort was repurposed as a prisoner-of-war camp for captured Confederate soldiers. Following the Civil War, soldiers from Fort Riley were instrumental in protecting workers constructing the Kansas Pacific Railroad from further Native American raids.

The Cavalry Era and Beyond

The latter half of the 19th century saw Fort Riley become a prominent center for cavalry training. Lieutenant George Armstrong Custer, a name synonymous with the American West, was stationed at the fort in 1866 and 1867. The legendary Wild Bill Hickok also served as a scout for Fort Riley, beginning in 1867.

On January 1, 1893, Fort Riley officially became the site of the Cavalry and Light Artillery School, a role it maintained until the disbandment of the Cavalry in 1943. Throughout these years, the fort also served as a home to the renowned 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, composed of all-black soldiers known as the Buffalo Soldiers, further enriching the fort’s diverse history.

Fort Riley has remained an active military post throughout both World Wars and continues to serve today. The military reservation now encompasses over 100,000 acres and boasts a daytime population of nearly 25,000, including the 1st Infantry Division, famously known as the Big Red One. Located on the north bank of the Kansas River, just three miles north of Junction City, Fort Riley, Kansas, stands as a vibrant and vital component of the United States Army.

Whispers of the Past: The Hauntings of Fort Riley

Beyond its historical significance, Fort Riley has also garnered attention for its numerous reports of paranormal activity. These tales of hauntings have woven themselves into the fabric of the fort’s identity, adding another layer of intrigue to its already captivating story.

Artillery Parade Field: Legend tells of a woman bound in chains, seen walking across the field on clear nights. Her identity and the reason for her spectral imprisonment remain a mystery.
Camp Funston: Constructed during World War I as a massive training camp, Camp Funston was struck hard by the 1918 flu pandemic. Many of the soldiers in training lost their lives, giving rise to one of the most common ghost stories. A ghostly soldier in a World War I uniform has been spotted patrolling the area, particularly near the site of the old gymnasium. He is often seen during snowstorms, but leaves no footprints behind.
Cavalry Parade Field: Spectral riders have been heard and seen galloping across the Cavalry Parade Field. Witnesses describe feeling a low vibration and hearing distant thunder before the ghostly troop appears. The riders slow at the intersection of Sheridan and Forsyth Avenues, where one rider dismounts before the troop vanishes. Some believe these riders are an escort for Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer.
Custer House: What was formerly known as Quarters 24 is one of the original buildings and has been in continuous use since it was built. Haunting reports from this house began in 1855 during the cholera epidemic. A sergeant reported hearing strange noises from the upstairs rooms and a teddy bear moving around in the children’s room. Another soldier reported finding a bed that appeared to have been slept in and the feeling of being watched.
Infantry Parade Field: This field was once a polo field. Witnesses have seen two polo-playing gentlemen riding their horses and playing polo. One soldier reported seeing one of the riders with a skull for a face who yelled, "Leave! Now, while you still can!"
IACH (The Hospital): The fire alarm in the Bio-Medical room frequently sounds without being triggered.
Kansas Territorial Capitol: Near the old capitol building is the Kaw River Nature and History Trail, where the sorrowful voice of a woman can sometimes be heard drifting up from the river. Some believe this may be the soul of a long-dead slave woman who belonged to the man who owned the ferry in the 1850s.
Lower Parade Field: A lone rider has been seen galloping across the field in the morning, only to disappear as quickly as he appeared.
Main Post: The ghostly figure of an old nurse has been seen in this old building.
NCO Club: Ghosts are said to haunt the doors of this club. An MP reported that a ghostly force jerked the door he was guarding open, even though it was locked.
No. 1 Stable: Soldiers on night duty have reported seeing a man in old-fashioned clothing ride through the stable and then disappear. Years later, the skeletons of the horse and rider were found in an old ravine.
Post Cemetery: The ghost of Major Lewis A. Armistead has often been seen kneeling at his wife’s grave, who died in the cholera epidemic of 1855. His ghostly presence wears a dark blue uniform and wishes to be left alone if approached.
Quarters 124: This house is reportedly haunted by a woman who drowned herself in a well on the fort grounds in the 1860s. Residents have reported hearing loud noises at night, such as someone dragging a wooden box up and down the stairs.
Trolley Station: The ghost of Susan Fox, who died of cholera and was buried in her wedding dress, has been seen around the trolley station. Residents reported hearing strange noises and shrieks after her death.

These accounts, though anecdotal, contribute to the mystique surrounding Fort Riley. Whether attributed to residual energy, echoes of past traumas, or simply the power of suggestion, the stories of hauntings continue to captivate and intrigue visitors and residents alike.

A Living History

Fort Riley is more than just a military installation or a collection of old buildings; it is a living testament to the history of the American West. From its origins as a protector of pioneers to its role in the Civil War and the Indian Wars, to its prominence as a cavalry training center, Fort Riley has witnessed and participated in some of the most pivotal moments in American history. The tales of hauntings, whether believed or not, add another dimension to the fort’s rich tapestry, reminding us that the past is always present, echoing through the corridors of time.

The Historical and Archaeological Society of Fort Riley, Kansas provides a Ghost Tour that tells many tales of this historic and haunted post each year. Books at the Fort Riley Museum also detail many apparitions.

Also See:

Forts of the American West
Forts & Presidios Across America
Haunted Forts & Battle Grounds
Kansas Forts