Fort Dodge, Kansas

 Fort Dodge, Kansas: A Historic Site with a Veterans' Home

If you are interested in learning about the history of the Santa Fe Trail and the military presence in Kansas, you might want to visit Fort Dodge, an unincorporated community in Ford County, about 5 miles southeast of Dodge City. Fort Dodge was established in 1865 as a U.S. Army post to protect travelers and traders from Native American attacks. It also served as a supply depot and a resting place for buffalo hunters. The fort was named after Colonel Henry Dodge, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the Black Hawk War.

Fort Dodge was built on a bluff overlooking the Arkansas River, which provided water and a natural defense. The first buildings were made of sod and adobe, and some soldiers lived in dugouts. Later, wooden structures were erected, including barracks, stables, warehouses, a hospital, a school, a chapel, and a cemetery. The fort had four companies of infantry at its peak, and hosted several notable visitors, such as General Philip Sheridan, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Wild Bill Hickok.

The fort was abandoned in 1882, after the railroad reached Dodge City and the threat of Native American raids diminished. In 1890, the state of Kansas acquired the site and converted it into a soldiers' home for retired veterans. Today, Fort Dodge is still a retirement community and nursing facility for Kansas veterans, managed by the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs. It is also a historic site that preserves some of the original buildings and artifacts from the fort's heyday.

Visitors can explore Fort Dodge by taking a self-guided walking tour that starts at the historic library, which houses a museum with exhibits and memorabilia related to the fort's history and the Santa Fe Trail. The library also has a collection of books and documents about Kansas history and military affairs. Some of the other attractions include:

- The Pershing Barracks, built in 1867 and named after General John J. Pershing, who served at Fort Dodge as a young lieutenant. It is now used as a medical clinic.

- The Sheridan House, built in 1870 and named after General Philip Sheridan, who visited Fort Dodge several times. It is now used as administrative offices.

- The Custer House, built in 1872 and named after General George Custer, who also visited Fort Dodge. It is now used as a guest house for visitors.

- The Chapel, built in 1878 and still used for religious services and special events.

- The Cemetery, where more than 800 veterans and their spouses are buried. Some of the graves date back to the Civil War era.

Fort Dodge is open to the public from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Visitors are asked to respect the privacy and dignity of the residents and staff. Fort Dodge is located at 714 Sheridan Street, Fort Dodge, KS 67843. The phone number is (620) 227-2121.

Fort Dodge is a place where history meets hospitality. It offers a glimpse into the past of Kansas and the nation, as well as a tribute to the veterans who served their country. If you are looking for an educational and enjoyable destination in western Kansas, you might want to check out Fort Dodge.

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Fort Brown, Texas

Fort Brown, Texas: A Historic Site with a Rich Legacy

Fort Brown, Texas, is a historic site that has witnessed many events that shaped the history of the United States and Mexico. Located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, Fort Brown was established in 1846 as Fort Texas, the first US Army military outpost of the recently annexed state of Texas. It was renamed Fort Brown in honor of Major Jacob Brown, who died defending the fort during the Siege of Fort Texas, one of the first battles of the Mexican-American War.

Fort Brown played a significant role in the Civil War, as it was occupied by both Confederate and Union forces at different times. The fort was a strategic point for trade and communication between the two countries, and also a site of conflict and violence. The fort witnessed several battles, such as the Battle of Palmito Ranch, the last land engagement of the Civil War.

After the war, Fort Brown continued to serve as a military post until 1944, when it was deactivated and transferred to the City of Brownsville. The fort was home to various units and regiments, such as the Buffalo Soldiers, who were African American soldiers that fought in the Indian Wars and the Spanish-American War. The fort also hosted notable figures, such as Dr. William Crawford Gorgas, who worked on eradicating yellow fever in the region.

Today, Fort Brown is a National Historic Landmark that preserves some of the original buildings and structures from its military past. The fort is part of the Texas Southmost College campus, and also houses the Historic Brownsville Museum, which displays artifacts and exhibits related to the fort's history and culture. Fort Brown is a place where visitors can learn about the rich legacy of this historic site and its role in shaping the U.S.-Mexican border region.

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Alcatraz, California

 # Alcatraz: The Island of Many Stories

If you are looking for a unique and fascinating destination in California, you might want to consider visiting Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz is a small island located 1.25 miles offshore from San Francisco, and it has a rich and complex history that spans over 150 years. In this blog post, we will explore some of the stories that make Alcatraz so intriguing and memorable.

## Alcatraz as a Military Fort and Prison

Alcatraz was first used by the U.S. military as a fortification and defense site during the Civil War. The island was strategically located at the entrance of San Francisco Bay, and it housed cannons, barracks, and a lighthouse. In 1861, the first prisoners arrived on Alcatraz, mostly Confederate sympathizers and Native Americans who resisted the government's policies. Over time, Alcatraz became a military prison for soldiers who committed crimes such as desertion, theft, and murder.

In 1934, Alcatraz was transferred to the Department of Justice and became a federal penitentiary for some of the most notorious criminals in America. Among the inmates who served time on Alcatraz were Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, Robert "Birdman" Stroud, and Alvin "Creepy" Karpis. The prison was known for its harsh conditions, strict discipline, and high security. Escape attempts were rare and mostly unsuccessful, as the island was surrounded by strong currents and cold water temperatures. The prison closed in 1963 due to high operating costs and deteriorating facilities.

## Alcatraz as a Symbol of Native American Resistance

In 1969, a group of Native Americans from various tribes occupied Alcatraz for 19 months in protest of the government's treatment of their people. They called themselves Indians of All Tribes (IAT), and they claimed the island as their own under the Treaty of Fort Laramie of 1868, which granted them the right to unused federal land. They also demanded that the government establish an Indian cultural center, a university, and a museum on Alcatraz.

The occupation attracted national attention and support from celebrities, activists, and other Native Americans who joined the cause. The occupiers faced many challenges such as lack of water, electricity, sanitation, and supplies. They also faced opposition from the government, which cut off their communication and tried to evict them by force. The occupation ended in June 1971 after a fire destroyed several buildings on the island and reduced the number of occupiers to a few dozen.

The occupation of Alcatraz was a significant event in the history of Native American activism and civil rights. It inspired other protests and movements across the country, such as the Trail of Broken Treaties in 1972 and the Wounded Knee Incident in 1973. It also raised awareness and respect for Native American culture and identity among the public.

## Alcatraz as a National Park Site

In 1972, Alcatraz became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), a unit of the National Park Service that manages various sites in the San Francisco Bay Area. Alcatraz is now open to visitors who can explore its history and natural beauty through guided tours, audio tours, exhibits, and programs. Visitors can learn about the lives of prisoners and guards on Alcatraz, see the cell blocks, solitary confinement cells, dining hall, library, recreation yard, and other areas of the prison. They can also learn about the Native American occupation through photographs, artifacts, and oral histories.

Alcatraz is also home to a variety of wildlife such as seabirds, marine mammals, plants, and insects. Visitors can see western gulls nesting on the island's cliffs or cormorants diving into the water for fish. They can also spot harbor seals basking on the rocks or sea lions swimming near Pier 39. The island also has gardens that were planted by inmates and families who lived on Alcatraz during its military and prison eras.

Alcatraz is one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, attracting over 1 million visitors each year. Visitors can reach the island by ferry from Pier 33 near Fisherman's Wharf. The ferry ride takes about 15 minutes and offers scenic views of San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Angel Island State Park ,and other landmarks.

Alcatraz Island is a place where history meets nature in an unforgettable way. Whether you are interested.

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The Haunted Drum Barracks, Wilmington, California

If you are a history buff or a ghost hunter, you might want to visit the Drum Barracks in Wilmington, California. This is the last remaining original American Civil War era military facility in the Los Angeles area, and it has a rich and spooky history.

The Drum Barracks was built between 1862 and 1863 as a Union garrison to secure the loyalty and security of Southern California, which had many pro-Confederacy sympathizers. The camp was named after Colonel Richard Drum, the assistant adjutant general of the Department of California. It was also known as Camp Drum or Camp San Pedro.

The Drum Barracks served as a staging, training and supply base for military operations in the Southwest. Some 17,000 Californian volunteers passed through the barracks on their way to fight for the Union in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The camp also played a role in the Indian Wars after the Civil War ended.

The camp was decommissioned in 1871, and most of its buildings were sold or demolished. Only two structures survived: the powder magazine and the junior officer's quarters. The latter was saved from demolition in 1962 by community groups and turned into a Civil War museum that is open to the public.

The museum displays artifacts, weapons, uniforms, photographs and documents related to the Civil War and the Drum Barracks. It also offers guided tours of the historic building, which has been restored to its original appearance. Visitors can see the parlor, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms, library and office of the officers who lived there.

But be warned: you might not be alone in the museum. The Drum Barracks is said to be haunted by several ghosts, some of whom are believed to be former soldiers or residents of the building. Paranormal investigators and visitors have reported hearing footsteps, voices, music, gunshots and cannon fire. They have also seen apparitions, shadows, orbs and other strange phenomena.

Some of the most haunted areas of the museum are:

- The parlor, where a ghostly woman in a white dress has been seen sitting on a sofa or walking across the room.

- The dining room, where a ghostly man in a blue uniform has been seen sitting at the table or standing by the fireplace.

- The kitchen, where objects have moved by themselves or fallen off shelves.

- The library, where books have been rearranged or thrown off shelves.

- The office, where a ghostly man in a gray uniform has been seen sitting at a desk or walking out of the room.

- The upstairs hallway, where footsteps have been heard going up and down the stairs or along the corridor.

- The bedrooms, where beds have been found messed up or indented as if someone had slept on them.

- The powder magazine, where cold spots and electrical malfunctions have been experienced.

If you are brave enough to visit the Drum Barracks, you might encounter some of these ghostly residents. But don't worry: they are not harmful or hostile. They are just reminders of the past that still linger in this historic place.

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