Forts Across the American West

OLD WEST LEGENDS

Forts Across the American West

The forts of the American West varied in type from military posts, to fortresses established by fur trading companies, to private enterprises built solely to protect the pioneers within.

Most often when we think of Old West forts, we imagine a high stockade type wall of sharpened logs that surround a number of buildings. Inside these walls are hardy pioneers and soldiers, valiantly defending themselves from hostile Indians on the outside. Though western films have perpetuated this idea, and sometimes forts were built in a stockade type manner, the purpose and style of forts varied widely and this "typical" scenario was the exception rather than the rule.

Contrary to the myths perpetuated by western films, most military forts of the American West were not established to protect the settlers from Indians; rather, they were built to maintain peace among the tribes, as well as between Native Americans and white emigrants.

Many people are not aware that Alcatraz was a fort

before it became a Penitentiary. Photo by

John Sullivan, March, 2005.

This image available for photographic prints

and downloads HERE!

Furthermore, they were seldom solidly constructed stockades with numerous permanent buildings. Sometimes, they were little more than a couple of blockhouses. Other types of fortifications were constructed by traders to protect their businesses and by settlers to protect their homes.

As more and more settlers moved west in the 19^th century Army posts were established on the basis of anticipated use, sometimes to keep the Indian tribes from waging war with each other and at other times, to keep white settlers from encroaching upon native lands.

It was generally only when white settlers insisted on encroaching upon native lands, especially during the many gold and silver rushes, that the Indians retaliated. Only then did the forts’ primary purpose change to protecting the settlers. As westward expansion continued, threatening the Indian's livelihood, war between the whites and Indians intensified, resulting in the push of Native Americans onto reservations. Once the Indians were placed on reservations, some forts served as Indian agencies and distribution points for annuities given to tribes under treaty agreements.

When the many trails began to open such, as the Santa Fe Trail in the 1820’s and the Oregon Trail in the 1840’s, traders and pioneers often met with not only, opposition from the tribes, but also, by road agents interested in relieving them of their money or their goods. In response, more forts were established to protect commerce along the trails.

When establishing a new fort, the soldiers would sometimes occupy buildings already established, but more often, were required to construct the new fort from materials available in the area. In forested areas, wood was usually used; adobe in the desert, and stone, where available. The typical frontier fort consisted of officers' quarters, barracks, stables, storehouses, and headquarters buildings, grouped around a central parade ground. Most forts did not have walls surrounding them because attacks were generally unlikely.

Many army posts were referred to as "camps,” when there were only a few people assigned to the location or when the site was temporary. To be considered a "fort,” a full contingent of troops had to be permanently assigned to it. Both forts and camps were utilized by the U.S. Army during the Frontier Campaigns.

Fort El Reno, Oklahoma Commisary and Weapons Magazine, November,

2005, Kathy Weiser. This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

Reacting to the quickly changing needs of the vast west, the Army would set up a post and then abandon it when no longer needed.

Though it was not the original intent to establish military forts to fight the Indian Wars, this changed when the U.S. government failed to protect tribal territorial rights and uphold treaties. Increasingly upset with treaty violations and travelers, settlers, and railroad crews encroaching on their lands, the Indians were retaliating in full force by the mid-1800s.

As a result the U.S. Government began a series of frontier campaigns to "tame” the Indians, force them on to reservations, and convert them to "civilized” life.

For the soldier, life was difficult and often monotonous at these many frontier outposts. The vast majority of recruits saw little or no combat and spent their time doing manual labor. Many forts were so isolated there were no nearby towns for single enlisted men to relieve the monotony or meet women. The normal "dull existence” of frontier life was too much for many of the troops and desertion rates were high.

Today, many of these Old West forts have been preserved, restored or rebuilt as monuments to our heritage and can still be seen as museums and national or state parks.

Also See:

Haunted Forts of the American West

List of Old West Forts

Soldiers & Officers in American History

Fort Verde, Arizona, April, 2007, Kathy Weiser.

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