Fort Dodge in Ford County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Sutler Store
The Fort Dodge "sutler" store and buildings stood near this location. The civilian who kept a store in connection with a fort was known as the "sutler." He paid a fee for a monopoly to conduct all buying and selling on the military reservation. He was recommended by a post council and appointed by department headquarters. The sutler was granted the rank of a warrant officer to give him standing with the men.
The store sold food stuffs, including canned vegetables, fresh milk, butter, eggs, firearms and ammunition, wagon repairs, dry goods, and many tools and utensils. The sale of liquor was regulated at the discretion of the commanding officer who also oversaw the prices of the goods sold. The store served the soldiers, civilian employees, trail travelers and Indians who visited regularly.
William Ladd, the first sutler, provided the buildings for his business which included the store, stables, saloon, billiard hall, eating place, and a residence. Later sutlers included Jesse Crane, J. C. Tappan, T. Weichslebaum, Robert M. Wright and James Langton.
The sutler store is a lounging place for all the idlers about the station - it is the grand hotel, restaurant and club house of the post.
Harper's Weekly
May 5, 1867
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1942.
Location. 37° 43.959′ N, 99° 56.115′ W. Marker is in Fort Dodge, Kansas, in Ford County. Marker is on Sheridan Street south of U.S. 400, on the left when traveling south. Marker is on the grounds of the Kansas Soldiers' Home. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Dodge KS 67843, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Dodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Commanding Officer's Quarters (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hospital (about 500 feet away); Enlisted Men's Barracks (about 600 feet away); Storehouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wagnor Memorial Fountain (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Fort Dodge (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Dodge.
Also see . . .
1. Fort Dodge. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on May 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Kansas Soldiers' Home, Fort Dodge. Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs Office website entry (Submitted on May 18, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 560 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.