Fort Larned was located in 1859 on Pawnee Fork, about eight miles above the mouth of that stream. It was for a number of years an important post, but was later abandoned as a fort, and in 1882 the reservation was opened for sale to settlers.
Fort Saunders was a proslavery stronghold about twelve miles southwest of Lawrence in 1856. It was destroyed by a body of free-state settlers the same year.
Fort Titus, located about two miles south of Lecompton, was a log house used as a proslavery fortification. It was captured and destroyed by free-state forces shortly after the destruction of Fort Saunders.
Fort Wakarusa was a free-state fortification on the Wakarusa River, about five miles from Lawrence.
Fort Bain was a log cabin in the northern part of Bourbon County which served as a retreat for John Brown and James Montgomery in 1857 and 1858.
Fort Baxter, a military post, was established by General Blunt in 1863. It was the scene of an attack by Quantrill, known as the Baxter Springs massacre. After the war the town of Baxter Springs grew up on the site.
Fort Dodge was one of the most important forts on the western frontier. It was located to the east of The Caches, near Dodge City, in 1864. The first buildings were of adobe, but in 1867 good buildings were erected. Fort Dodge was not abandoned until 1882. The Soldiers’ Home at Fort Dodge was later established on a part of this military reservation.
Fort Downer was located on Downer’s Creek, about fifty miles west of Fort Hays. It was in existence between 1863 and 1868.
Fort Harker was established in 1864, near the present site of Ellsworth, with the name Fort Ellsworth. Two years later the name was changed to Fort Harker and the site moved about a mile northeast. This fort was for a long time the shipping point for freight bound for New Mexico. Fort Harker was abandoned in 1872 and the reservation opened to settlement in 1880.
Fort Wallace was established near the present town of Wallace in 1865. This was an important post during the building of the Union Pacific railroad. It was abandoned as a fort in 1882, and in 1888 the land was ordered sold.