Fort Clifton (Kansas)

Clifton, Kansas, was established in 1859 in northern Clay County, Kansas. The first building erected there was a one-room log hut that served the pioneers who settled there as a fort during troubled times between them and the area's Indians. When all was said and done Clifton and Fort Clifton ended up occupying several locations.^[1]

In 1860 Clifton was moved just to the north and ended up just inside Washington County, Kansas. A number of log cabins were built there by the settlers, so they could take refuge there during Indian uprisings. In 1861 and 1862 school was held in one of the cabins.^[2]

Events concerning Fort Clifton are uncertain, as all available sources disagree concerning the details of the fort. One source claimed a new fort was built on the original townsite in August 1862 and that this fort was used until 1863. Other sources indicate whatever fort and cabins that existed were used until 1863 or 1864 or even until spring 1865. To make matters more confusing, the townsite moved in 1863, either back to the original site or to a place near to it.^[3]

The area where the forts were located was flat ground. The views to the south and west were very good and the view to the east was good for a mile, at which point rolling hills rose. The north did not provide a good view, as half a mile away hills blocked the sight.

The use of Fort Clifton definitely ended at the winter of 1865-6, as the problems with the Indians subsided then.^[4]

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