Fort Ellsworth was established in 1864 to protect travelers enroute to Santa Fe or to Denver City. Renamed Fort Harker in 1866, it was moved months later to the present site of Kanopolis and became a major supply post for military campaigns against the Plains Indians. The fort closed in 1872, but four original buildings, all constructed with Dakota sandstone, still stand. A depot has been moved next to the guardhouse and presents the history of Kanopolis and area salt mines. Admission charge. (NRHP)