Fort Larned national historic site - Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is where Henry's company is based and where his journey begins.
Fort Larned national historic site - Charley's Clothes
Some typical children's clothing of the mid-1800s that Charley would have worn.
National parks: Mr - public domain image
Mr Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Cheyenne Village Tragedy - National Parks Gallery
Cheyenne Village Tragedy Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Mud House in Santa Fe - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Mud House in Santa Fe Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - Fort Lyon
Fort Lyon is Henry's first stop in Colorado. Public domain image of 19th-century Lyon architecture, historical city building, France, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - Fort Union
Fort Union Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Indian Village Burning - National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph of painting, 19th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Hancock Indian Expedition - National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph of 19th-century landscape print, engraving, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - Santa Fe
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - Council Grove
Council Grove is the first stop Henry makes on his journey. He sends her a letter from there describing the town.
Life of an Indian - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph of a national park, horse riding, rangers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Red Arm Creek - National Parks Gallery
Red Arm Creek Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
1831 Newspaper - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
This is lining for the document box in the story that Sarah's father Henry uses to hold special documents.
Mail Interactive - National Parks Gallery
This mail interactive allows people to get an idea of how long it took to deliver mail to different parts of the country during the 1800's. The mail station at Pawnee Fork was the main reason the Army sent sol... More
1860s Christmas Foods - National Parks Gallery
Our Christmas event is called a Taste of Christmas Past because we researched different kinds of food people made for the holiday in the 1860s. We then baked them using recipes from that time period. The visi... More
Old Commissary Building - National Parks Gallery
The Old Commissary is the oldest original building at Fort Larned. The structure was completed in 1866.
1867 Photograph of Fort Larned - Early photography, Public domain imag...
This photograph of Fort Larned was taken in 1867. The photographer was on the oxbow, on the east side of the fort. Note the lack of trees in the area. Most of them were cut down for either building material ... More
Hancock-Kiowa Chief Council - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
Indian Council at Fort Dodge, Kansas between General Hancock and the Kiowa chiefs, Harper's Weekly, published May 25, 1867.
Indian Expedition - National Parks Gallery
General Hancock's encampment at Fort Harker, from Harper's Weekly, published April 2, 1867.
Third U.S. Infantry at Fort Larned
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment had more companies of soldiers stationed at Fort Larned than other Infantry regiment in the post-Civil War Indian Wars era. This photograph was of Co. C of the 3rd Infantry in fr... More
Burning the Cheyenne-Sioux Indian Village
Burning the Cheyenne-Sioux Indian village near Fort Larned, Kansas, Harper's Weekly, published June 8, 1867.
Medicine Lodge Treaty - National Parks Gallery
Council at Medicine Lodge with an illustration of an Indian camp at Medicine Lodge Creek, Harper's Weekly, published October 16-26, 1867.
Battle of Washita - National Parks Gallery
From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, published December, 1868. Public domain photograph of a national park, horse riding, rangers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - Buffalo Soldiers
Fort Larned was one of the first western Army posts to have a unit of the new African-American units authorized by Congress after the Civil War. Company A, 10th U.S. Cavalry was stationed at Fort Larned from m... More
Camp Supply - National Parks Gallery
Camp Supply, Indian Territory from Harper's Weekly, published February 27, 1869.
Guard Squad - National Parks Gallery
Although the fort closed in 1878, the Army did not sell the property until 1884. Three soldiers were left behind to guard the public property at the post until the Army finally made a decision about what do wi... More
David White - Post Chaplain - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
David White was one of the few post chaplains assigned to Fort Larned. White was stationed here in 1878, the year the post closed. Post Chaplains served in many different roles. They provide religious servic... More
Ration Day at Standing Rock - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
Ration Day at Standing Rock Agency, Harper's Weekly, published July 28, 1883.
North Officers' Quarters - National Parks Gallery
View of the north officers' quarters, the last building to be restored at the fort.
Fort Larned Aerial View-24 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Aerial view of the Pawnee River and the oxbow on the east side of Fort Larned.
Fort Larned national historic site - Prairie Dog
Prairie Dog Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
William's family home - National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph of a house, cottage, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned Aerial View-15 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Aerial view of Fort Larned from the southwest.
Fort Larned national historic site - Coyote Skin
Coyote Skin Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Visitors Decorating Christmas Tree
Visitors are helping to decorate a tree covered in cotton batting. With fir trees scarce on the plains people often cut down small trees and covered them with cotton to decorate for the holidays.
Fort Larned national historic site - Flag Retreat
Volunteers recreate the traditional flag-lowering ceremony known as "Retreat".
Fort Larned national historic site - Drinking Gourd
Drinking Gourd Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Mule - public domain image
Captain Aubrey, the wagon master, preferred mules to horses. A mule is the product of a male donkey and female horse.
Fort Larned national historic site - Garden Vegetables
The main reason for working so hard on a backyard garden - that moment when you can finally harvest the vegetables.
Fort Larned national historic site - Fort Union
Fort Union is Henry's final destination. He describes the adobe buildings to Sarah.
National parks: April - public domain image
Pages 1 & 2 of the April post return.
Post cemetery blanketed in snow.
The post cemetery is where some 63 soldiers and a few civilians who died at the fort were buried.
National parks: August - public domain image
Pages 1 & 2 of the August post return.
Mule Shoe and Horse Shoe - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Will found a mule shoe at the first stop. Mule shoes are smaller than horse shoes because mules feet are smaller. According to Pierre, the mule is more surefooted than the horse.
National parks: November - public domain image
Pages 1 & 2 of the November post return.
Fort Larned national historic site - Marion's Doll
One of the other things Marion decided to take with her on the trip was her doll, Lucy.
Box Elder's Clothing - National Parks Gallery
A shirt made from cloth that had been traded.
Fort Larned national historic site - Camp Supply
Public domain image of an industrial building, factory, structure, works, 19th-20th century industrial revolution, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description
National parks: Wool - public domain image
Wool Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Medicine Lodge Treaty - National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - Flag Retreat1
Public domain image of personnel, army, group of people in uniform, parade, historic place, military activity, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description
The Road to SF 5 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Ladies on Officers' Row - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
The officers' wives, servants and laundresses were as much a part of post life as the soldiers and officers themselves.
Fort Larned national historic site - Medicine Bag
Medicine Bag Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Commissary and Quartermaster Warehouses
The two buildings across the snowy parade ground are the Commissary Warehouse for food stores, and the Quartermaster Warehouse for all non-food supplies. Travel was difficult on the frontier in the winter time... More
Fort Larned Aerial View-47 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Aerial view of the maintenance compound located to the east of the historic buildings and the tree-lined Pawnee River.
Steamboat Named the Independence on the Missouri River
Public domain image of a sailing ship, caravel, harbor, sea, naval battle, 16th-17th century maritime seascape, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - wool blanket
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - Clam Shell
Clam Shell Public domain photograph of Mollusca, shell, furniture, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Holiday Food in the Officers Quarters
Officers' wives went out of their way to make sure they could make special holiday treats for Christmas.
Fort Larned Aerial View-27 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Aerial view of the Pawnee River and the oxbow on the east side of Fort Larned.
The Road to SF 8 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Picryl description: Public domain image of a uniform, military personnel, armed forces, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
The Road to SF 6 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned Aerial View-18 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Aerial view of Fort Larned from the south.
Metal Needle From a Trader - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Metal Needle From a Trader Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - Iron Arrowheads
The iron arrowhead Charley found near the creek where they stopped on their first day of travel. Indians got the iron arrowheads from white traders.
Cucumbers and Zucchini - National Parks Gallery
A bumper crop of cucumbers, with a few zucchini thrown in.
National parks: February - public domain image
Pages 1 & 2 of the February post return.
Tar Bucket with Wooden Paddle - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Contains a mixture of tallow (animal fat) and tar. It's used to grease the axles on the wagons and is applied with the wooden paddle.
Fort Larned national historic site - Commissary Warehouse
The commissary warehouse as seen from across the parade ground.
Watching the sun go down. - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Many of our volunteers not only come out for living history during the day, many of them stay in the quarters at the fort. These volunteers are staying in one of the officers' quarters.
Battle of Washita - National Parks Gallery
Picryl description: Public domain image of armed forces, cavalry, infantry, 18th-19th century war, military conflict, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Lowering the Flag - National Parks Gallery
Lowering the flag. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - Rattlesnake Rattle
The rattle came from a rattlesnake Charley's father killed that almost bit Charley.
Fort Larned national historic site - Garden Herbs
In addition to getting access to fresh vegetables, growing herbs for cooking was another good reason to have a garden.
Fort Larned national historic site - Flag Retreat5
Picryl description: Public domain image of military personnel, parade, conscription, group of people in uniform, armed forces, infantry, war activity, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Fort Larned Aerial View-35 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Far away aerial view of Fort Larned from the south.
Fort Larned Aerial View-25 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Aerial view of the Pawnee River and the oxbow on the east side of Fort Larned.
Buffalo Tail and Hair - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
The tail and hair from a buffalo. Robert gets to see one for the first time on his trip to Santa Fe with his father.
Fort Larned national historic site - Flag Retreat3
Picryl description: Public domain image of armed forces, cavalry, infantry, 18th-19th century war, military conflict, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Fort Larned Aerial View-11 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Aerial view of Fort Larned from the west. Public domain photograph - park, sign, monument, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Infantry Soldiers Marching on the Parade Ground
Volunteers portraying infantry soldiers demonstrate what life was like on the frontier during the Indian Wars.
National parks: December - public domain image
Pages 1 & 2 of the December post return.
Fort Larned national historic site - Flag Retreat
Volunteers recreate the traditional flag-lowering ceremony known as "Retreat".
Noise Maker Toy - National Parks Gallery
Noise Maker Toy Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned Aerial View-10 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Aerial view of Fort Larned from the northwest.
Fort Larned Aerial View-44 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Aerial view of the maintenance compound located to the east of the historic buildings.
Fort Larned Aerial View-21 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Aerial view of the oxbow on the east side of Fort Larned.
Sioux War-Rosebud - National Parks Gallery
Picryl description: Public domain image of armed forces, cavalry, infantry, 18th-19th century war, military conflict, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Jan in Garden - National Parks Gallery
Volunteer Jan Elder tends the garden.
The Road to SF 2 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned Aerial View-17 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Aerial view of Fort Larned from the south.
Fort Larned Aerial View-32 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Far away aerial view of Fort Larned from the northwest with the new parking lot in the foreground.
National parks: Jackrabbit - public domain image
According to the wagon driver, Pierre, jackrabbits were named after donkey's, also called jackasses, because their ears are similar.
National parks: Parfleche - public domain image
Parfleche Public domain photograph of primitivism, folk art, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - Horseshoeing Demonstration
Many of our volunteers have specialized skills that the love to share with the visitors. This volunteer is demonstrating the art of shoeing a horse.
Fort Larned national historic site - Pocket Watch
Pocket Watch Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fort Larned national historic site - Fort Larned
Fort Larned is another stop along the way. Henry describes the dugouts to Sarah in his letter.
Fort Larned national historic site - Flag Retreat
Volunteers recreate the traditional flag-lowering ceremony known as "Retreat".