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Fort Larned National Historic Site

Most Overlooked National Park System Units

There seem to be countless national park stories in the media about "best this" or "best that," or "most underrated" park. More often than not, those stories revolve around the 63 "national parks" that go into the 428 units of the National Park System. What about the remaining 365 units? Let's take a look at some of the most overlooked parks in that universe (and we hope you'll help!).

Exploring The Parks: Fort Larned National Historic Site

There are no walls around Fort Larned on the Kansas prairie, which makes it easy for your eyes to roam across the surrounding countryside that was home to soldiers from 1860 to 1878 when they were tasked with guarding travelers along the Santa Fe Trail, helping with mail deliveries, and negotiating with area tribes that grew increasingly concerned with growing numbers of settlers.

Officers Row, Fort Larned National Historic Site

A long building facing a large green parade ground underneath a clear blue sky, Fort Larned National Historic Site

"The infantry and cavalry stationed at Fort Larned occupied these quarters on the north side of Fort Larned. The barracks were designed to house up to four companies of infantry and cavalry, though the numbers were rarely this high. On average, just 100 or 150 troops were stationed at Fort Larned, though the number swelled to between 400 and 500 in 1868. And just as the barracks were designed with four companies in mind, the company officers' quarters were also designed to house four companies' worth of officers.

Kurt Repanshek

INN Member

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