GUARDIANS OF THE TRAIL AN INTERVIEW WITH CELESTE DIXON

For almost 19 years—from October 1859 to July 1878—Fort Larned was an active military post. Today, Fort Larned National Historic Site (ABOVE), located in central Kansas, is one of the historic sites on the Santa Fe Trail that is open to the public. Park Ranger Celeste Dixon (LEFT) talked with COBBLESTONE about the fort’s history and its connection to the historic trail.

Why was Fort Larned built?

Fort Larned was established to protect mail deliveries on the Santa Fe Trail. Troops were originally sent to the area to protect construction crews building a new mail station. The station was to be