There are so many abandoned places in Kansas! This is a list of the top three abandoned places in Kansas. Browse through all abandoned places in Kansas
Fort Lane or as locals liked to call it “the eye in the sky” is a deserted fort built in the 1850s to help residents of Lawrence see advancing enemies. Unlike other forts built and managed by the U.S defense forces, Fort Lane was built by locals and was in their full control. The fort was abandoned and deserted when the U.S army built a post near the same fort.
Lawrence community began in the early 1800s as a small free state of fewer than 1000 people. As time went by, the population grew to around 1500 residents who all worked and lived in Lawrence. However, in the 1800s, battles between communities were a common thing and it was up to the community to defend themselves or wait to be flogged to extinction. Centrally located, Lawrence had to deal with attacks from both the north and the south.
Residents came up with the concept of building a lookout tower to help prevent more surprise attacks because it was a difficult condition to be in. The construction of Fort Lane began, and all of the capable people, both men, and women were involved in the operation. The fort was situated at the summit of Mount Oread, providing them with excellent views to the north and south.
Even after becoming a state, security was still an issue as major attacks were still seen. In 1963, residents of Lawrence loosened security and they were attacked by the southern states. This attack which claimed more than 100 lives changed the history of Lawrence and the Fort. The fort was destroyed in the crossfires and some were set ablaze.
The US army constructed a garrison on the same mountain a year after the attack to help avoid additional violence between the tribes. The fort remained operational for another two years until being abandoned. Fort Lane was never reoccupied after a piece of the site was taken over by the University of Kansas. On top of Mt. Oread, all of the forts on the mountain, including the posts built by the US troops, were abandoned to rust.
The state of Kansas demolished a part of Fort Lane to make room for other structures on campus. Shortly after that, the rest of the fort's limestone walls collapsed. Concrete remains to dominate the previously major fort, which is surrounded by a lush forest. The majority of people are unaware of the fort's specific location, but those who are aware of it and have visited it claim there isn't much to see. The site of the Lawrence village, as well as several adjacent properties, is now designated as a historic district.
Octagon city is a ghost town located in Allen County, Kansas, United States. The city which was established in 1856 by the vegetarian Kansas Emigration Company was mainly used to host numerous vegetarians in the state of Kansas. A major boom was seen during Octagon’s early life but this did not stop it from neglect that it received in the future.
At the beginning of the 1800s, most people began to revolt about meat and the unjustified killing of animals for food. This led to an increase in vegetarians in the state and the United States as a whole. Looking to advance their revolt up a notch, Vegetarians Kansas Emigration came up with the idea of building a safe space where they would interact freely between themselves.
After further discussions and reconsiderations, the organization decided to build a vegetarian community in the South of the Neosho River. The community was to be of only vegetarians and those who would like to convert to the same calling. This was the beginning of an eight-sided town, “Octagon City”. Design and every feature in the city resembled an octagon shape. This was a law that had to be followed by each and every member of the community.
One can say that Octagon city was the mother of all problems. The city started as a safe haven for those who called it home but later tormented them on imaginable levels. Being remote and in close proximity to a river, Octagon city became the perfect spot for the just hatched mosquitoes. Residents in the town suffered from malaria and other flues for the better part of their stay at Octagon. As if that is not enough, extremely strong thunderstorms and lightning were frequent in the town destroying crops on the farms. The little crops that were spared by thunderstorms were not safe as most dried up, while others were stolen by native Indians who neighbored the community. The harsh weather and difficult living conditions saw many residents relocate to other towns rendering their beloved community a ghost town by 1858.
Today, all that remains of Octagon town is a historical marker that commemorates the history of the town. Most of the residents relocated to the Southside and built their lives afresh. All the buildings that were once important structures of the town have collapsed over time. A railroad constructed shortly after the death of the town to lure people back into the town lies rusted and neglected with some of its rails buried by soil. The town of Octagon is open to whoever feels like visiting. To know more about the history of the town, you can visit the nearby museum for more fun facts.
Fort Lane or as locals liked to call it “the eye in the sky” is a deserted fort built in the 1850s to help residents of Lawrence see advancing enemies. Unlike other forts built and managed by the U.S defense forces, Fort Lane was built by locals and was in their full control. The fort was abandoned and deserted when the U.S army built a post near the same fort.
Lawrence community began in the early 1800s as a small free state of fewer than 1000 people. As time went by, the population grew to around 1500 residents who all worked and lived in Lawrence. However, in the 1800s, battles between communities were a common thing and it was up to the community to defend themselves or wait to be flogged to extinction. Centrally located, Lawrence had to deal with attacks from both the north and the south.
Residents came up with the concept of building a lookout tower to help prevent more surprise attacks because it was a difficult condition to be in. The construction of Fort Lane began, and all of the capable people, both men, and women were involved in the operation. The fort was situated at the summit of Mount Oread, providing them with excellent views to the north and south.
Even after becoming a state, security was still an issue as major attacks were still seen. In 1963, residents of Lawrence loosened security and they were attacked by the southern states. This attack which claimed more than 100 lives changed the history of Lawrence and the Fort. The fort was destroyed in the crossfires and some were set ablaze.
The US army constructed a garrison on the same mountain a year after the attack to help avoid additional violence between the tribes. The fort remained operational for another two years until being abandoned. Fort Lane was never reoccupied after a piece of the site was taken over by the University of Kansas. On top of Mt. Oread, all of the forts on the mountain, including the posts built by the US troops, were abandoned to rust.
The state of Kansas demolished a part of Fort Lane to make room for other structures on campus. Shortly after that, the rest of the fort's limestone walls collapsed. Concrete remains dominate the previously major fort, which is surrounded by a lush forest. The majority of people are unaware of the fort's specific location, but those who are aware of it and have visited it claim there isn't much to see. The site of the Lawrence village, as well as several adjacent properties, is now designated as a historic district.