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Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

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Fort Harker Guardhouse Museum

Name: Fort Harker Guardhouse Museum
Address: 303 W Ohio Street, Kanopolis, KS, 67454, US
Telephone: +17854725733
Price range: $$

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Fort Harker Guardhouse Museum

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At the fort, you can walk through the Guard House, Commanding and Junior Officers Quarters which dis

In 1864, Fort Ellsworth was established on the Smokey Hill River. On November 11, 1866, the post's name was changed to Fort Harker. Just two months later, a new site for the fort was selected a mile northeast of the old post which is now located on the west edge of the town of Kanopolis, Kansas.

10/17/2026

What happened to Fort Harker on October 17th, 1868?

On October 17, 1868, Fort Harker remained deeply involved in the operational tempo of Major General Philip Sheridan’s impending winter campaign.

While no combat engagement occurred directly at the fort on October 17, major activity that weekend centered on three key areas:

1. The Arrival & Processing of Supplies

Fort Harker was the westernmost terminus on the Kansas Pacific Railway equipped with large warehouse facilities. October 17 saw freight cars routinely delivering government stores—including carbines, cold-weather clothing, rations, and forage. Quartermaster teams at the post worked constantly to reload these goods onto heavy mule-drawn wagon trains.

2. Coordination of Supply Trains to Outposts

Wagon columns dispatched from Fort Harker traveled south along established trails to supply forward staging grounds (such as the mouth of the Little Arkansas River near modern-day Wichita, then known as Camp Beecher). Guarding these wagon columns was essential due to frequent Indian raiding parties operating across central Kansas during the autumn of 1868.

3. Muster and Organization of Volunteers

Throughout mid-October, Kansas Governor Samuel J. Crawford and U.S. Army officers were finalizing arrangements to muster volunteer cavalry forces (such as the 19th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry) to reinforce federal troops. Fort Harker acted as the staging and administrative depot where these units were outfitted before riding south into Indian Territory.

10/16/2026

What happened at Fort Harker on October 16th, 1868?

By October 16, 1868, Fort Harker was operating at full capacity as a critical staging point and supply anchor for Major General Philip Sheridan's Department of the Missouri.

While no single headline-grabbing battle occurred at the post on that specific day, mid-October was marked by intense, day-to-day military ex*****on:

Managing Reinforcements and Units:

The post was actively handling troop movements and reassignments across the central Kansas frontier. This included coordinating incoming or departing detachments—such as units of cavalry assigned to secure supply lines and railheads against raiding parties.

Supplying the Winter Campaign:

Following Sheridan's foundational orders issued earlier that month, Fort Harker served as a vital link on the Kansas Pacific Railway. Day-to-day operations on October 16 involved offloading heavy shipments of am******on, forage, and rations from trains and reloading them onto heavy wagon trains heading south toward the frontier.

This unrelenting logistical rhythm at Fort Harker throughout mid-October directly paved the way for the launch of Sheridan’s winter offensive the following month.

10/15/2026

What happened at Fort Harker on October 15, 1868?

On October 15, 1868, Fort Harker continued its critical function as a primary staging and administrative node during the height of the U.S. Army's preparations for Major General Philip Sheridan’s winter campaign.

Key developments and administrative activities associated with the post around mid-October included:

Official Dispatches and Operational Orders:

Military correspondence, inspections, and troop directives were actively flowing into and out of Fort Harker. Officers were corresponding regarding regional security, supply trains, and tracking scouting patrols operating across the frontier to keep communication and supply lines open along the Smoky Hill Trail.

Intensified Logistics:

Because Fort Harker sat directly on the Kansas Pacific Railway, it served as the transloading point where rail freight—such as carbines, am******on, winter clothing, and rations—was transferred to wagon columns heading south toward supply depots like the newly establishing Camp Supply.

The relentless movement of troops and supplies through Fort Harker that week directly sustained the field operations that would soon launch the army into Indian Territory.

10/14/2026

What happened at Fort Harker on October 14, 1868?

By October 14, 1868, Fort Harker was operating as a vital nerve center and primary distribution point for the U.S. Army's Department of the Missouri.

While no single landmark battle occurred directly at the fort on that exact calendar day, October 14 fell squarely into a critical window of high-intensity military preparations:

Logistical Hub for the Winter Campaign:

Major General Philip Sheridan was utilizing Fort Harker's strategic position on the Kansas Pacific Railway to process and forward massive amounts of ordnance, rations, and equipment. Troops, civilian teamsters, and freight wagons were constantly moving through the post to supply newly forming outposts further south and west.

Troop Movements and Dispatches:

Units and couriers were actively relaying communications between Sheridan's headquarters, regional supply depots (like Fort Hays and Fort Harker itself), and the scattered volunteer cavalry forces mustering across Kansas to secure the frontier against ongoing Cheyenne and Arapaho raids.

The extensive logistical push centered around Fort Harker throughout mid-October 1868 directly enabled the launch of Sheridan’s winter offensive the following month, culminating in Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer's attack at the Battle of the Wash*ta River.

10/13/2026

What happened at Fort Harker on October 13th, 1868?

In the fall of 1868, Fort Harker (located in central Kansas) served as a primary staging hub, logistical supply center, and military headquarters for Major General Philip Sheridan’s Department of the Missouri.

Around October 13, 1868, the fort was heavily immersed in the immediate preparations for Sheridan’s aggressive winter campaign against the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Comanche tribes.

Key activities surrounding Fort Harker and the region at that exact time included:

Staging and Supply for the Winter War:

Sheridan and his staff were utilizing Fort Harker as a central point to organize troops, assemble wagon trains, and stockpile weapons and am******on for the upcoming offensive that would culminate the following month in the Battle of the Wash*ta.

Frontier Es**rt Operations:

Units operating out of and through the area—such as elements under Captain Frederick Benteen—were actively escorting vulnerable supply and am******on trains across the Kansas plains against ongoing attacks by raiding parties.

Raising Volunteer Forces:

The region was also seeing the continuous muster and organization of volunteer Kansas cavalry regiments to reinforce federal troops for winter operations on the frontier.

10/10/2026

What happened at Fort Harker on October 10th, 11th, and 12th, 1868?

During the consecutive days of October 10th, 11th, and 12th, 1868, Fort Harker served as the central staging hub for the U.S. Army's upcoming Winter Campaign on the Southern Plains.

October 10, 1868

Following Major General Philip H. Sheridan’s arrival and official call for volunteer troops the previous day, Kansas Governor Samuel J. Crawford issued his official proclamation on October 10.

Call for the 19th Kansas Cavalry: The proclamation called for 1,200 volunteers to form the 19th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry to defend the state's frontier and assist Sheridan's regular army forces.

Staging Hub:

Fort Harker was designated as the rendezvous point where these recruits were ordered to gather, muster into service, receive uniforms, arms, and horses, and undergo training before launching into Indian Territory.

October 11, 1868

Logistical Mobilization: Fort Harker’s quartermaster and ordnance departments worked at full capacity mobilizing supplies, am******on, and winter gear.

Troop Movements:

Supply trains and cavalry detachments were dispatched to establish forward supply posts to the south and west (including what would become Camp Supply in modern-day Oklahoma) to support the 7th U.S. Cavalry under Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer.

October 12, 1868

Patrol Activity:

On October 12, a large military patrol staged out of Fort Harker departed into central/western Kansas to scout for Native American raiding parties and secure the lines of communication along the Kansas Pacific Railway and overland roads.

10/09/2026

What happened at Fort Harker on October 9, 1868?

On October 9, 1868, Major General Philip H. Sheridan officially accepted Kansas Governor Samuel J. Crawford’s offer to raise a volunteer force and issued the formal request for the creation of the 19th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry.

Context and Significance:

The Request for Volunteers: Facing escalations in the Plains Indian War during the summer and fall of 1868 (including the Battle of Beecher Island), Sheridan lacked sufficient regular U.S. Army troops to guard the Kansas frontier and wage a full-scale campaign. On October 9, Sheridan dispatched official communications asking Governor Crawford to enlist a full regiment of volunteer cavalry for six months of service.

Creation of the 19th Kansas:

Governor Crawford immediately acted on Sheridan's request, issuing a call for 1,200 volunteers. To command the unit, Governor Crawford eventually resigned his position as Governor of Kansas in early November to serve directly as the colonel of the 19th Kansas Cavalry.

Rallying at Fort Harker:

Fort Harker served as the primary assembly, supply, and rendezvous point where the newly recruited volunteer companies gathered, were mustered into federal service, and were equipped.

Paving the Way for the Winter Campaign:

Sheridan’s October 9 call for troops at Fort Harker provided the crucial manpower needed to launch his famous Winter Campaign of 1868–1869 into Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma), which led directly to the Battle of Wash*ta River and subsequent operations alongside Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Cavalry.

10/08/2026

What happened at Fort Harker on October 8th, 1868?

On October 8, 1868, Major General Philip H. Sheridan issued critical operational directives at Fort Harker to prepare for his upcoming Winter Campaign of 1868–1869 against the Southern Plains tribes.

Key Events around Fort Harker on October 8, 1868:

Strategic Orders for the Winter Campaign:

Following escalating conflicts on the Kansas frontier—including the Battle of Beecher Island in September 1868—Sheridan made Fort Harker one of his central logistical supply hubs. On October 8, Sheridan dispatched orders to organize supplies, cavalry movements, and scout detachments operating across central Kansas.

Organization of the 19th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry:

In response to frontier raids, Kansas Governor Samuel J. Crawford had been coordinating closely with Sheridan at Fort Harker. On October 8–9, final authorizations were put in motion to raise the 19th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, a state regiment that would assemble and equip at Fort Harker before joining Sheridan’s offensive.

Logistical Prep for the Wash*ta Campaign:

These preparations led directly to the launching of Sheridan's winter offensive in November 1868—which staged forces out of Fort Harker, Fort Hays, and Camp Supply, culminating in Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer's attack at the Battle of Wash*ta River.

10/07/2026

What happened at Fort Harker on October 7, 1868?

On October 7, 1868, Fort Harker continued its role as the central logistical headquarters and command post during the opening phase of Major General Philip Sheridan’s 1868–1869 Winter Campaign against the Plains tribes.

While no combat occurred at the fort on October 7, the post was actively handling three key developments:

1. Scouting and Reconnaissance Patrols

Following the general mobilization orders issued by Major General Alfred Sully and General Sheridan earlier in the week, patrols were dispatched out of Fort Harker to secure the surrounding region. Notably, on October 7, 1868, a detachment under Lieutenant William H. Beck set out from the Fort Harker region on a second scouting expedition into the lower Big Bend country along the Arkansas River to track Indian movements.

2. Dispersal and Return of Forsyth's Scouts

Following their official muster-out and pay at Fort Wallace on October 5, survivors of Forsyth's Scouts (including men such as Chauncey B. Whitney and Jack Stilwell) began arriving back in Ellsworth and Fort Harker via the Kansas Pacific Railway on and around October 7.

Upon returning to Fort Harker, many of these veteran frontiersmen were immediately approached by military commanders to re-enlist as scouts, dispatch riders, or civilian guides for the regular U.S. Army units gathering in central Kansas.

3. Supply Operations for the 1868 Winter Campaign

From his headquarters base, General Sheridan utilized Fort Harker's railroad terminus to orchestrate supply operations. On October 7, quartermasters and ordnance officers at the fort were actively prepping wagon trains loaded with rations, am******on, and winter gear to be sent south to Fort Dodge and forward staging areas in preparation for the upcoming mobilization of the 19th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry and the 7th U.S. Cavalry.

10/06/2026

Fort Harker Live

Address

303 W Ohio Street
Kanopolis, KS
67454

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+17854725733

Website

facebook.com

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