The 7th Cavalry was at Fort Dodge when George Custer returned to his regiment after a court martial suspension. The fort was abandoned in 1882. Eight years later it was deeded to the state for use as a soldiers' home. Most early residents were Civil War veterans and others were veterans of the Mexican and Indian wars. Today the fort still serves as the Kansas Soldier's Home.
Several buildings are open for tours.
The quiet, tree-lined walks and dignified buildings are a far cry from the sod homes and dugouts that made up the original fort in 1865. On KS Hwy. 154 just east of Dodge City. The famous Butterfield Overland Despatch began operation in 1865 along the Smoky Hill route to Denver. In 1866 young Bill Cody took his first scouting job at the fort.