A fort of four-foot-thick, seven-foot-high sod walls was erected near here in 1870 after Indians killed three men along the Solomon River.

"The site of the sod fort was the block in Jewell City now bounded on the south by Delaware Street and on the west by Belle Street. To man the fort, the settlers organized the 'Buffalo Militia', a group of 28 volunteers. They were relieved in June 1870 by a company of U.S. soldiers who remained until fall." (City of Jewell History)