Fort Dodge Buildings
When the State of Kansas gained title to Fort Dodge, there were “six large buildings known as officers’ quarters, three large buildings known as soldiers’ quarters or barracks (stone), a large cut-stone building built for a hospital, two large cut-stone buildings, used formerly as quartermaster and commissary buildings, and some fifteen or twenty smaller wooden buildings...” In the first biennial report of the State Soldiers’ Home (1889-1890), the Board of Managers reported that “when turned over to the State [the buildings] were all in a more or less dilapidated condition, consequent from neglect and non-occupancy, but many of them well built of good material, and capable of being repaired at slight expense and lasting many years.”
The buildings at Fort Dodge are owned by the Kansas Commission on Veteran’s Affairs located at 700 SW Jackson, Ste #701; Topeka, Kansas 66603. Maintenance of the buildings at Fort Dodge has been impacted by budget constraints and the owners’ annual capital improvement plans. Many of the buildings require maintenance while others will require more extensive repairs. A few of the buildings have fallen behind on maintenance while others have sat vacant for several years. In the case of the Fort Dodge: Junior Officers’ Quarters Building; this building is slated for demolition. The Kansas Historical Society, the National Park Service: National Trails Office, and the Santa Fe Trail Association became aware of this the building’s situation in the late summer of 2017. The building’s proposed/planned demolition has been on the owner’s capital improvement plans for many years.
Junior Officers’ Quarters ca. 1870 (KHRI: 057-1426) Condition Assessment
Fort Dodge: Junior Officers’ Quarters ca. 1870 (KHRI: 057-1426) Fort Dodge, Ford Co. KS. In April 2017 representatives of the KSHS and the NPS toured the Santa Fe Trail associated buildings at Fort Dodge paying considerable attention to the Junior Officers’ Quarters. The wood-framed building does require repair and maintenance. The roof has been replaced but there is water coming around some of the windows into the walls. The floor in the corner of the northeast room has settled in the area of the water intrusion. See condition assessment and KHRI photos for more information. A general consensus was concluded the day of the visit that the building could be saved. The final decision rests with the owners. [Update: the building was still extant as of August 1, 2018.
Recommendations: Ultimately try to avoid demolition. First, determine how to stabilize the conditions. Then begin by repairing those things that jeopardize the building as a whole. Consider options for alternative uses and continue with repairs and maintenance as budgets allow. Refer to the NPS Preservation Brief #35 or contact the Kansas SHPO at (785) 272-8681 ext. 240.
Recommendations: Ultimately try to avoid demolition. First, determine how to stabilize the conditions. Then begin by repairing those things that jeopardize the building as a whole. Consider options for alternative uses and continue with repairs and maintenance as budgets allow. Refer to the NPS Preservation Brief #35 or contact the Kansas SHPO at (785) 272-8681 ext. 240.
Historic name: Fort Dodge: Jr Off Quarters Date of construction: 1870
Architectural integrity: Minor ext. changes Architectural integrity notes: Slated for demolition although repairable Association w/trail: DIR .07 miles S of SFT WGS-84: 37.732070 -99.935730 SR/NR eligibility: Not assessed
Architectural integrity: Minor ext. changes Architectural integrity notes: Slated for demolition although repairable Association w/trail: DIR .07 miles S of SFT WGS-84: 37.732070 -99.935730 SR/NR eligibility: Not assessed
Additional Fort Dodge buildings having concerns to note: Officers House ca. 1867 (KHRI: 057- 1821-00005); Army Quartermaster Building ca. 1867 (KHRI: 057-1399); Enlisted Men’s Barracks ca. 1867 (KHRI: 057-1821-00003): Old Fort Dodge Hospital ca. 1867 (KHRI: 1821-1821-00004). Fort Dodge, Ford Co. KS.
The following observations and recommendations pertain to the above noted four additional Fort Dodge buildings related to the Santa Fe Trail era. All four buildings have had inappropriate applications of concrete/gunite, stucco, or stone veneer panels applied directly to the lower three to four feet of the exterior walls surfaces. These applications have happened over a period of several years with the latest being the stone veneer panels applied to the Old Fort Dodge Hospital. The old hospital building appears not to have been affected yet by the veneer panels applied directly to the original stone faces.
Historically, people have believed that applying a material (with the intention that it will act as a sealer) to the original exterior limestone or sandstone surfaces will protect the stones. The results are exactly the opposite! The inappropriate applications of concrete/gunite, stucco, veneer, etc. tends to trap moisture inside the original stones. The original limestones and sandstones are porous. The trapped water freezes, stones crack and the stone faces spall. Large spalled chunks of the original stones will fall off. The stones will eventually crack all the way through or deteriorate totally away into a powder. Window sills on all four of the following buildings at Fort Dodge have been affected by those actions. Budget constraints have also accompanied the deteriorating conditions of the buildings.
Historically, people have believed that applying a material (with the intention that it will act as a sealer) to the original exterior limestone or sandstone surfaces will protect the stones. The results are exactly the opposite! The inappropriate applications of concrete/gunite, stucco, veneer, etc. tends to trap moisture inside the original stones. The original limestones and sandstones are porous. The trapped water freezes, stones crack and the stone faces spall. Large spalled chunks of the original stones will fall off. The stones will eventually crack all the way through or deteriorate totally away into a powder. Window sills on all four of the following buildings at Fort Dodge have been affected by those actions. Budget constraints have also accompanied the deteriorating conditions of the buildings.
Officers House ca. 1867 (KHRI: 057- 1821-00005) Condition Assessment
Historic name: Fort Dodge: Officers House Date of construction: 1867 Architectural integrity: Moderate changes Architectural integrity notes: Ext. needs major work; interior renovated as function needs dictated. Association w/trail: DIR .08 miles S of SFT
WGS-84: 37.731650 -99.935460 SR/NR eligibility: Not assessed
WGS-84: 37.731650 -99.935460 SR/NR eligibility: Not assessed
Army Quartermaster Building ca. 1867 (KHRI: 057-1399) Condition Assessment
Enlisted Men’s Barracks ca. 1867 (KHRI: 057-1821-00003) Condition Assessment
Historic name: Fort Dodge: Enlisted Barracks Date of construction: 1867 Architectural integrity: Major changes Architectural integrity notes: Adobe barracks removed 1930s; two barracks combined Association w/trail: DIR .12 miles S of SFT WGS-84: 37.731090 -99.935600 SR/NR eligibility: Not assessed
Old Fort Dodge Hospital ca. 1867 (KHRI: 1821-1821-00004) Condition Assessment
Further Recommendations:
Preservation plans should be developed for these buildings by a qualified historical architect who would be able to evaluate and specify what preservation treatments should be undertaken. For more information see the NPS bulletin for historic structures report overview. 14
Create a plan before inspecting the areas having the inappropriate treatments. Prior to inspecting the buildings, develop a plan asking what would be done if removing the material does not create further problems? What hidden conditions may require repair and how would the repair be undertaken? If the original stones are damaged beyond repair; determine what could be done next. Note: avoid pressurized or abrasive cleaning methods.
Inspect the areas of the gunite (Enlisted Men’s Barracks) or stucco (Quartermaster Building) to begin with as these two buildings have experienced the most damage. Do an inspection in an inconspicuous area such as the back of a building. Initially do not remove too much material. Avoid damaging the stone underneath. Determine the extent of the damage and if removing the materials would create more problems. Refer to the NPS Preservation Brief #35 or contact the Kansas SHPO at (785) 272-8681 ext. 240.
Create a plan before inspecting the areas having the inappropriate treatments. Prior to inspecting the buildings, develop a plan asking what would be done if removing the material does not create further problems? What hidden conditions may require repair and how would the repair be undertaken? If the original stones are damaged beyond repair; determine what could be done next. Note: avoid pressurized or abrasive cleaning methods.
Inspect the areas of the gunite (Enlisted Men’s Barracks) or stucco (Quartermaster Building) to begin with as these two buildings have experienced the most damage. Do an inspection in an inconspicuous area such as the back of a building. Initially do not remove too much material. Avoid damaging the stone underneath. Determine the extent of the damage and if removing the materials would create more problems. Refer to the NPS Preservation Brief #35 or contact the Kansas SHPO at (785) 272-8681 ext. 240.
Dead House ca. 1868 Condition Assessment
Dead House (Relocated) was an example of the military’s version of a morgue. The dead houses were used as temporary storage facilities for bodies especially during the winter months when the ground was frozen. Fort Riley in Riley Co. Kansas had a similar building referred to as “...well adapted for a post-mortem room”