Fort Zarah, Kansas

Fort Zarah, Kansas, a name etched in the annals of frontier history, stands as a testament to the tumultuous period of westward expansion in the United States. Located in Barton County, Kansas, northeast of the present-day city of Great Bend, Fort Zarah, Kansas served as a vital military outpost from 1864 to 1869. Its relatively short lifespan belies its significance in protecting settlers, safeguarding the Santa Fe Trail, and contributing to the eventual pacification of the region. This article delves into the history of Fort Zarah, Kansas, exploring its origins, construction, purpose, and eventual abandonment, painting a vivid picture of life on the Kansas frontier during the mid-19th century.

Before the establishment of the military fort, the area was sparsely populated, with a small settlement known as Kiowa attempting to take root. The nascent town even secured a post office on April 8, 1864, signaling a degree of stability and connection to the wider world. However, the promise of peaceful settlement was constantly threatened by the ever-present danger of Indian attacks. These raids, often driven by competition for resources and resistance to encroachment on traditional lands, instilled fear and uncertainty among the settlers, highlighting the need for a more robust form of protection.

The escalating threat of Indian attacks prompted the establishment of Camp Dunlap in July 1864. Located approximately two miles east of present-day Great Bend, Kansas, the camp was strategically positioned at the intersection of the Santa Fe Trail and Walnut Creek, a critical crossroads for commerce and westward migration. Initially, Camp Dunlap was a rudimentary affair, consisting primarily of tents and dugouts erected near the site of the old Rath Ranch Trading Post. This humble beginning reflected the urgency of the situation and the limited resources available at the time. However, it quickly became apparent that a more permanent and fortified structure was necessary to effectively protect the area’s inhabitants and maintain control of the vital Santa Fe Trail.

Under the command of General Samuel R. Curtis, work commenced on a more substantial military installation a mere 100 yards from the original Camp Dunlap. This new post was not merely intended as a temporary shelter but as a fortified base of operations. In a poignant gesture of remembrance, the post was renamed Fort Zarah, Kansas in honor of General Curtis’s son, Major H. Zarah Curtis, who tragically lost his life during the Baxter Springs Massacre during the Civil War. This act of commemoration underscored the human cost of the conflict and served as a constant reminder of the sacrifices made to secure the frontier. On April 28, 1865, the Kiowa post office officially adopted the name Fort Zarah, further solidifying the fort’s presence and importance in the region.

In 1866, recognizing the need for an even more formidable defense, the decision was made to replace the existing structure with a more robust fort located approximately half a mile up Walnut Creek. This new Fort Zarah, Kansas was a significant undertaking, constructed of sandstone quarried from the bluffs located about three miles away. The dimensions of the fort, measuring 116 feet long and approximately 50 feet wide, reflected its intended purpose as a self-sufficient and defensible stronghold. The construction cost, estimated at $100,000, demonstrated the commitment of the U.S. government to securing the Kansas frontier. The stone building housed quarters for officers and troops, providing comfortable and secure living spaces. It also included a kitchen, mess hall, and storerooms, ensuring the fort could sustain itself for extended periods.

On September 30, 1868, President Andrew Johnson officially established the Fort Zarah military reservation, further solidifying its place in the landscape. A survey conducted the same year revealed that the reservation encompassed approximately 3,700 acres, stretching from the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad north to the rolling hills. This expansive territory provided ample space for military exercises, agricultural activities, and resource management, making Fort Zarah, Kansas a self-contained community. However, the perceived need for a strong military presence in the area was gradually diminishing. With the Indian threat seemingly lessened and the proximity of Fort Larned, a larger and more established military installation, the decision was made to dismantle Fort Zarah, Kansas in December 1869.

The Fort Zarah post office, a vital link to the outside world, officially closed its doors on January 7, 1870. Although the military reservation was no longer deemed necessary, the land and assets associated with Fort Zarah, Kansas remained under government control. On February 24, 1871, an act of Congress approved the survey and sale of the reservation, signaling the end of its official military function. Intriguingly, the Fort Zarah post office briefly reopened on June 15, 1871, only to be renamed Zarah on July 6, 1871. This brief resurgence was short-lived, however, as the post office closed for the final time on April 2, 1873.

In July 1874, the remaining assets of Fort Zarah, Kansas were offered at public sale in Salina, Kansas. However, the sale proved largely unsuccessful, with less than 50 acres finding buyers at that time. The rest of the former military reservation was left abandoned, gradually succumbing to the elements and the passage of time.

In his book, "Heart of the New Kansas," published in 1880, Bernard Bryan Smyth offered a rather colorful description of the fort’s fate after its abandonment: "After the abandonment of the fort, it became a den of thieves and general rendezvous for bats and marauders. These occupied it day and night by turns – he former hiding by day, the latter by night." While perhaps embellished, Smyth’s account paints a picture of lawlessness and decay, highlighting the challenges faced by the region in the aftermath of the fort’s closure.

Over time, the stone used in the construction of Fort Zarah, Kansas was gradually appropriated by settlers in the vicinity for their own building projects. This act of salvage, while practical, contributed to the further erosion of the fort’s physical presence. The "bats and marauders," as Smyth called them, were eventually rendered homeless as the fort slowly disappeared from the landscape. Today, nothing remains of the original Fort Zarah, Kansas site. However, its memory is preserved by a historical marker located approximately 1.5 miles east of Great Bend on the north side of U.S. Highway 56. This marker serves as a silent reminder of the fort’s pivotal role in the history of Barton County and the Kansas frontier.