Fort Atkinson (Dodge City, Kansas)

Dodge City · Kansas · Indian Wars

Quick BriefThe first fully garrisoned regular army post on the Santa Fe Trail, Fort Atkinson (1850-54) was established on August 8, 1850, about two miles west of present-day Dodge City, Kansas. Its main purpose was to protect Santa Fe Trail travelers from hostilities of local Native American tribes, whose historic lands the travelers were crossing. Fort Atkinson was abandoned permanently on October 2, 1854, due to its inadequate buildings and supply difficulties.

History & Significance

Fort Atkinson, established August 8, 1850, was the first permanent U.S. Army installation situated in the central plains along the Santa Fe Trail. Initially established in July 1850 as Camp Mackay, the post was relocated to a more strategic location on the Arkansas River by Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Vose Sumner, who later served as a Union major general in the Civil War.

The fort was built of sod and was dubbed by soldiers "Fort Sod" and later "Fort Sodom." The garrison was never sufficient to have a meaningful impact; the average number of troops stationed there from September 1850 to August 1853 was about 80.

The fort's defining achievement was diplomatic: On July 27, 1853, a major treaty was ratified between the U.S. government and the Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa tribes in the area. After being abandoned in September 1853, the buildings were torn down so Indians could not hide inside them and surprise travelers on the Trail.

Fort Atkinson was reestablished on June 13, 1854, with eight officers and 110 enlisted men from Fort Riley. The post was finally abandoned on October 2, 1854.