August 7, 2019
‘Garrisoning’ the forts Part IV: Old Garrison
BY HUNTER L. ANDES
Editor’s note: This is the fourth and final article in the series of “Garrisoning the forts.”
Ft. Stevenson had a direct impact on the area, as well as Garrison’s existence. Larry Sprunk’s Garrison History Book describes how many of the men, who had been garrisoned at the fort, later became frontiersmen.
“During the latter years of her existence, Ft. Stevenson began to see gradual increase in the number of white settlers in the area,” Sprunk wrote. “In some cases, they were ex-soldiers who elected to stay in the general vicinity rather than returning to points of enlistment.”
Area Establishment
Sprunk said the open prairie expanses also drew pioneer ranchers eager to be the first to see their herds on the rolling slopes.
“As the number increased, it became necessary to grow to become towns; others would move to townsites nearby,” he wrote. “Such was to be the case with the Garrison post office. But before it was established, there would be others.”
“During the latter years of her existence, Ft. Stevenson began to see gradual increase in the number of white settlers in the area,” Sprunk wrote. “In some cases, they were ex-soldiers who elected to stay in the general vicinity rather than returning to points of enlistment.”
Area Establishment
Sprunk said the open prairie expanses also drew pioneer ranchers eager to be the first to see their herds on the rolling slopes.
“As the number increased, it became necessary to grow to become towns; others would move to townsites nearby,” he wrote. “Such was to be the case with the Garrison post office. But before it was established, there would be others.”
