Fort Zarah Marker

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Near Great Bend in Barton County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Fort Zarah

By Bill Kirchner, April 18, 2012

1. Fort Zarah Marker

Inscription. In 1825 the Federal government surveyed the Santa Fe trail, great trade route from western Missouri to Santa Fe. Treaties with Kansas and Osage Indians safeguarded the eastern end of the road but Plains Tribes continued to make raids. Fort Zarah, at this point, was one of a chain of forts built on the trail to protect wagon trains and guard settlers. It was established in 1864 by Gen. Samuel R. Curtis and named for his son, Maj. H. Zarah Curtis, who had been killed in the Baxter Springs massacre, October 6, 1863. The fort was built of sandstone quarried in near-by bluffs.
Fort Zarah was successfully defended against an attack by 100 Kiowas on October 2, 1868. It was abandoned in 1869.

Erected by Kansas Historical Society & State Highway Commission.

Location. 38° 21.933′ N, 98° 42.8′ W. Marker is near Great Bend, Kansas, in Barton County. Marker is on U.S. 56, on the left when traveling east. Click for map. Marker is in road side park 1 mile east of town. Marker is in this post office area: Great Bend KS 67530, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Site of Fort Zarah (within shouting distance of this marker); Streetscape (approx. 2.8 miles away); Civil War Memorial (approx. 2.8 miles away); ATSF Locomotive No. 3416 (approx. 2.9 miles away); Hotel Wolf (approx. 7.2 miles away); Van Wingerden's Crew (approx. 7.5 miles away); Welch's Wolves (approx. 7.5 miles away); Rover Boys Express (approx. 7.5 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Great Bend.

By Bill Kirchner, April 18, 2012

2. Fort Zarah Marker

Credits. This page originally submitted on May 13, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 208 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.