Medicine Lodge in Barber County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Medicine Lodge and the Stockade
Protection for early settlers
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024
1. Medicine Lodge and the Stockade Marker
Settlers led by John Hutchinson first came to Medicine Lodge five years after the signing of the 1867 Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty. The town was named for the lodge used by the Kiowa to celebrate the Sun Dance. The settlement rapidly grew with a small commercial district and post office within a year.
To protect against active Native American raiding in 1874, the state militia and residents built a stockade in the middle of town. The walls were constructed of logs standing about nine feet high with gates located to the north and south. Watchtowers were placed around the perimeter to watch for attacks.
Medicine Lodge and Sun City militia manned the fort and scouted over 100 miles. The stockade was never attacked, but three settlers were killed a few miles away during a Native American raid. The threat only lasted that year and Medicine Lodge incorporated as a city in 1879.
Today, Medicine Lodge is an agricultural community with a rich history, The stockade is commemorated by historical markers at each of the four corners of the original stockade and at the Stockade Museum. Also, the Peace Treaty Pageant commemorates the
this page online
Life in the Stockade
About 200 people stayed in the stockade during the threat of 1874, in addition to their wagons, pets, and livestock. Stone buildings and wagons provided shelter, and daily rations of corn for bread and bison meat were handed out. To pass the time, people played cards or danced; the saloon was out of alcohol. People came to the stockade in May, but civilians trickled out to their claims throughout the summer; most were gone by fall. Some people left the area entirely, never to return to their claims.
Stockade Museum
The Stockade Museum, located by the Carry A. Nation Home, is a smaller reproduction of the original stockade. First opened for the 1961 Peace Treaty celebration, the museum has displays, historical artifacts, and antiques to tell the story of Medicine Lodge. Exhibits include the peace pipe from the 1867 treaty, artifacts from the Peace Treaty Pageants beginning in 1927, and pictures from the 1884 Medicine Lodge Bank robbery. The stockade yard also has antique farm equipment and two additional attractions:
2. Marker detail: Carry Nation home at Medicine Lodge Stockade
Smith Log Cabin. An 1877 log house was brought to the Museum from a ranch near Medicine Lodge. Built by Uncle Bob Smith, the cabin is two stories with four rooms and is furnished with period antiques.
Old Steel Jail. Installed in the courthouse basement in 1886, the jail has four bunks in each cell and a sink and bathtub that were added later. Over its lifetime, it held about 20 murderers, including the man who shot the Barber County Sheriff in 1908.
Erected by Kansas Byways.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 37° 16.541′ N, 98° 35.755′ W. Marker is in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, in Barber County. It is on West Fowler Avenue (U.S. 160/281) half a mile west of Iliff Street (U.S. 281), on the right when traveling west. The marker is located in a wayside/roadside park on the north side of US Highway 281. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Medicine Lodge KS 67104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
3. Marker detail: Men who attempted to rob Medicine Valley Bank in 1884
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Medicine Lodge Treaty (here, next to this marker); The Story of Prohibition (here, next to this marker); Carry Nation Home (approx. Ύ mile away); Medicine Lodge Stockade (approx. 0.9 miles away); Barber County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Grand Hotel (approx. one mile away); The First National Bank (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Medicine Lodge Stockade (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Medicine Lodge.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Medicine Lodge and the Stockade
Also see . . .
1. Medicine Lodge, Kansas (Wikipedia).
September 8, 2024
4. Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway Wayside
Rightmost of 3 markers at this location.
Excerpt: Settlers led by a man named John Hutchinson founded the town of Medicine Lodge north of the confluence of Elm Creek and the Medicine Lodge River in February 1873. In 1874, in response to Native raids in the region, residents and the state militia constructed a stockade. Medicine Lodge was incorporated as a city in 1879.(Submitted on October 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Temperance activist Carrie Nation launched her crusade against the sale of alcohol while living in Medicine Lodge in 1900. Her home and a reproduction of the 1873 stockade are open to the public.
2. Medicine Lodge Stockade Museum.
Excerpt: In 1874, during a period of Indian raids in western and southern Kansas, the governor of Kansas, Thomas A. Osborn, organized the Kansas State Guards. The stockade was built by the militia and citizens of Medicine Lodge. Pioneers were seeking a new land of opportunity where one could homestead and raise a family. Stockades became the gathering place of protection for these pioneers during troubled times. Within the stockade walls communities were built and friendships were forged(Submitted on October 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)as everyone daily worked together to provide adequate food and clothing for each family. At the close of the day families gathered together to spend time singing hymns and thanking the Lord for another day of safety.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 20245. Medicine Lodge Stockade MuseumLocated about 1 mile east of the Medicine Lodge wayside/roadside park on US Highway 281 (West Fowler Avenue).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
