Fort Lookout (Kansas)
Encyclopedia
Fort Lookout, in the northeast corner of Republic County, Kansas
, was established by the US Army near the beginning of the American Civil War
, in 1861. Its purpose was to protect the military road running from Fort Riley
, Kansas, to Fort Kearney, Nebraska Territory. The area witnessed many attacks by Indians. Fort Lookout was perched on a high bluff overlooking the Republican River
. The fort was two miles south of the Kansas-Nebraska border.
The log fort was two stories high. The second story was built at a 45-degree angle across the top of the first story, thus providing eight sides where its occupants could observe the surrounding countryside. Some of the logs had six-inch square notches cut into them for use as rifle ports. The fort had a flat roof.
During the Civil War many wagon trains used the military road guarded by Fort Lookout. Some may have been attacked by Indians. By the end of the War, the threat of Indian attacks greatly diminished. In 1867 or 1868 the Army abandoned the fort, which was used by the state militia during an Indian uprising in 1868.
Until at least 1870 the local population used the fort as a place of refuge during disturbances with the Indians. After that, someone used the old fort for a home. The building was eventually abandoned and was torn down or fell down from neglect.
Republic County, Kansas
Republic County is a county located in the state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 4,980. The largest city and county seat is Belleville.-19th century:...
, was established by the US Army near the beginning of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, in 1861. Its purpose was to protect the military road running from Fort Riley
Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
, Kansas, to Fort Kearney, Nebraska Territory. The area witnessed many attacks by Indians. Fort Lookout was perched on a high bluff overlooking the Republican River
Republican River
The Republican River is a river in the central Great Plains of North America, flowing through the U.S. states of Nebraska and Kansas.-Geography:...
. The fort was two miles south of the Kansas-Nebraska border.
The log fort was two stories high. The second story was built at a 45-degree angle across the top of the first story, thus providing eight sides where its occupants could observe the surrounding countryside. Some of the logs had six-inch square notches cut into them for use as rifle ports. The fort had a flat roof.
During the Civil War many wagon trains used the military road guarded by Fort Lookout. Some may have been attacked by Indians. By the end of the War, the threat of Indian attacks greatly diminished. In 1867 or 1868 the Army abandoned the fort, which was used by the state militia during an Indian uprising in 1868.
Until at least 1870 the local population used the fort as a place of refuge during disturbances with the Indians. After that, someone used the old fort for a home. The building was eventually abandoned and was torn down or fell down from neglect.