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FORT LARNED – It’s time to get ready for this year’s Candlelight Tour at Fort Larned National Historic Site.
This year we’re exploring the role of the Post Trader in the life of a frontier military post. Post traders were merchants granted a license to operate a store on the post to provide soldiers with items not issued by the Army. Being able to get things like soap, writing paper, and special foods, just to name a few, was very helpful for men stationed far from towns or cities. The Post Trader had his downsides, though, one of which was selling alcohol in his store, which could cause lots of problems for the officers and men. The scenes in this year’s tour will highlight both the good and bad side of having a civilian store on post.
The tour will be on October 12th with reservations beginning on September 30th at 8:30 am. Reservations can only be made by phone at 620-285-6911, or in person at the Visitor Center. The first tour will leave at 7:30 pm and then every 15 minutes afterwards, until the last tour leaves at 10:15 pm for a total of 12 tours. Each tour has space for 20 people and reservations will be taken on a first come, first served basis.
Fort Larned National Historic Site, one of 430+ National Park units, is located six miles west of Larned on Kansas Highway 156. Information about visiting can be found on the internet at www.nps.gov/fols, by calling 620-285-6911, or emailing [email protected]. For information on area tourism partners, lodging, dining, and community services go to www.larnedks.org or call (620) 285-6916.