Near Wallace in Wallace County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fort Wallace
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 22, 2014
1. Fort Wallace Marker
Inscription.
Fort Wallace. . First called Camp Pond Creek, Fort Wallace was established in 1865. The fort served as the headquarters for troops given the task of protecting travelers headed west along the Smoky Hill Trail to the Denver gold fields. Fort Wallace was the westernmost military outpost in Kansas, and from 1865 to 1878 served as one of the most active military posts in the Central Plains. Troops often spent time in the field, and the fort was several times attacked by Plains Indians striving to defend their lands and protect their way of life., The fort was located about two miles to the southeast of this marker. Abandoned in 1882, nothing is now visible of the stone and wood buildings where once more than 300 men were stationed. , Just north of where the fort once stood, the old post cemetery still exists, enclosed by stone walls within the Wallace Township Cemetery. In 1867 U.S. soldiers erected a monument as a tribute to their comrades who had been killed in action and buried there. Although the soldiers' remains were later moved to Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, the monument still stands in their honor.
First called Camp Pond Creek, Fort Wallace was established in 1865. The fort served as the headquarters for troops given the task of protecting travelers headed west along the Smoky Hill Trail to the Denver gold fields. Fort Wallace was the westernmost military outpost in Kansas, and from 1865 to 1878 served as one of the most active military posts in the Central Plains. Troops often spent time in the field, and the fort was several times attacked by Plains Indians striving to defend their lands and protect their way of life.
The fort was located about two miles to the southeast of this marker. Abandoned in 1882, nothing is now visible of the stone and wood buildings where once more than 300 men were stationed.
Just north of where the fort once stood, the old post cemetery still exists, enclosed by stone walls within the Wallace Township Cemetery. In 1867 U.S. soldiers erected a monument as a tribute to their comrades who had been killed in action and buried there. Although the soldiers' remains were later moved to Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, the monument still stands in their honor.
Erected by Kansas State Historical Society & Kansas Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 44.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles
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. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 38° 54.617′ N, 101° 34.966′ W. Marker is near Wallace, Kansas, in Wallace County. Marker is on U.S. 40 at milepost 25.5, on the left when traveling east. Marker is at the Fort Wallace Museum, east of Wallace city limits. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wallace KS 67761, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within walking distance of this marker. Camp Pond Creek & Fort Wallace on the BOD (within shouting distance of this marker).
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 22, 2014
2. Fort Wallace Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 716 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 12, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
