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Military base: Site information; Owner: Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs: Controlled by: United States: Open to the public: Yes: Condition: Repurposed as the Kansas Soldiers' Home: Site history; Built: 1865: Built by: U.S. Army: In use: 1865-1882
Jan 13, 2023 · Quick Facts. Location: Fort Dodge is located located approximately 5 miles east of Dodge City, Kansas, on Highway 400 at 714 Sheridan Fort Dodge, Kansas 67843. Significance: Fort Dodge was a United States Army Post that protected those traveling the Santa Fe Trail and provided supplies and a resting place for traders and bison hunters.
Apr 24, 2024 · Fort Dodge, city, seat (1856) of Webster county, north-central Iowa, U.S. It is situated on both sides of the Des Moines River at its juncture with Lizard Creek, about 90 miles (145 km) northwest of Des Moines. It originated around Fort Clarke, which was established in 1850 to protect settlers from.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Fort Dodge Grain Silo Mural
- The Fort Museum and Frontier Village
- Iowa Racing Museum and Hall of Fame
- Historic Mansion Tours
- Blanden Memorial Art Museum
- Kayak Des Moines River
- Veterans Memorials
- Classic Architecture
- Public Art
The Tallest Art Piece In Iowa
When people take the Highway 20 exit and travel more than 30 minutes out of their way just to see a mural, you know that Fort Dodge may be on to something. It’s no ordinary mural. TheFort Dodge Grain Silo Muralprojects a 360-degree look into the area’s industrial and cultural history. The mural is a perfect example of repurposing aged facilities rather than demolishing them. Australian artist Guido van Helten worked with the city’s Public Art Coalition to create the 110-foot-tall mural, which...
The Birthplace Of Fort Dodge And The Home Of A Giant
The military outpost of Fort Dodge sat in the Des Moines River valley. Built in 1850, the fort outlived its mission, so a local businessman bought the land, eventually building a town. Today, you can tour a replica fort, along with a museum showcasing Euro-American and Native American artifacts, at theFort Museum and Frontier Village. A frontier village of about a dozen buildings outside the fort recreates the early days of Fort Dodge. Original buildings -— including a one-room schoolhouse an...
Establishment Tracing The State’s Dirt Track Stars
Marty Pringle grew up on the dirt race tracks of Iowa. From Fort Dodge to Council Bluffs and almost every other track in the state, Marty tagged along as his dad raced for trophies and paychecks. Marty naturally became a race car driver, too. Today, Marty shares his love for the track with others through the Iowa Hall of Fame and Racing Museum. Located in Otho, a few miles outside of Fort Dodge, the museum is a collection of old cars, helmets, photos, and other memorabilia honoring some of th...
Ann Smeltzer House
One of the first things visitors want to know about the Ann Smeltzer Houseis if it’s haunted. It is not. But it’s home to immaculate art, beautiful furniture, and eccentric tales of the family. From her mother running a Montessori-style school in the house to Ann’s love of nature resulting in the untrimmed landscape, the Smeltzer house is a beautiful stroll through Fort Dodge’s history.
Vincent House
The Vincent House, named to the National Register of Historic Places, is considered one of the most haunted mansions in the Midwest. Ghost hunters have identified at least two dozen spirits living in the home, almost all from the same family. Whether or not you believe in spirits, a tour of the three floors at the Vincent House offers a unique look into the wealthy families of the city’s past. Built in 1872 for the pharmaceutical-selling Swain family, the house was sold to Webb and Catherine...
Museum Celebrating Classic Art, Regional Artists
Receiving the bulk of its classical art collection from the Smeltzer family, the Blanden Memorial Art Museumshowcases regional artists in three galleries. From European paintings to contemporary sculptures, the Blanden rotates exhibits, offering fresh views year round. Located in a Neoclassical building, the art museum exceeds expectations for a small city gallery. Its grounds also include a variety of sculptures.
The Area’s Most Scenic River
Limestone cliffs tower over the Des Moines River as people travel via kayak or canoe. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as blue skies help the wooded river shore reflect in the clear water. Running almost 50 miles, Fort Dodge caps the Des Moines River Trailin Webster County. Kayakers enjoy floating the shallow waterway, taking in excellent views of the river’s sandy bottom, along with colorful rocks and natural scenery.
Webster County Freedom Rock
Home to the Webster County Freedom Rock, Fort Dodge honors veterans with a magnificent art piece on the southeast corner of A and 2nd Avenue South. Each of Iowa’s 99 counties has its own Freedom Rock, with paintings representing local veterans. The Freedom Rock in Fort Dodge depicts locals’ military service from the Civil War through World War II. An artistic interpretation of the American flag tops the rock.
Terry Moehnke Veterans Memorial Park
Overlooking Badger Lake, Terry Moehnke Veterans Memorial Parkis a short drive outside the city. With flags representing each military branch flapping in the wind, the memorial recognizes Webster County veterans with granite markers along a tree-lined path. Sculptures, including one of an eagle, add to the beauty of the serene setting.
A Downtown Walk Through History
With buildings dating back to the 1800s, a self-guided tour of Fort Dodge’s downtown provides a look into its early days. The Webster County Courthouse is the major draw, with its classic dome ceiling accented by a clock tower. A walk through the small courthouse showcases a marble staircase with gold-trimmed railings. You’ll find business facades seemingly out of the 1950s and ’60s, including Daniel Pharmacy and Rieman Music, one of six locations of the legendary Iowa music store. The Key on...
A Historical Pig And More
The Universities of Iowa and Minnesota have long been football rivals in the Big Ten Conference. For about 115 years, the teams have played for a trophy honoring a pig from Fort Dodge. Floyd of Rosedale was a prized hog given to the winner of the 1935 contest and as a reminder of the teams’ goals of fair play on the field; the 1934 game was marred by racial targeting. In 2021, a large statue of Floyd was erected near Rosedale Farms. Meanwhile, downtown Fort Dodge features sculptures — such as...
- Tim Trudell
- Midwest (Nebraska)
Today, the reconstructed Fort Museum and Frontier Village are located on the southwest edge of Fort Dodge. It is a full-scale recreation of a military outpost on the prairie from the 19th century and also features a reconstructed village from the same time period.
Fort Dodge was used to maintain order along the Santa Fe Trail between there and Fort Lyon, Colorado. The post was raided by Indians several times, with many horses being stolen and a number of soldiers killed in the raids.
The military established a stockaded post at this site in 1850. The post was abandoned in 1853, and the following year the city of Fort Dodge was platted. This first plat was laid out on a grid that ran somewhat parallel to the east bank of the Des Moines River.
