Fort Drinkwater, in western Chase County, Kansas

Chase County, Kansas

Chase County is a county located in Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,790. Its county seat and most populous city is Cottonwood Falls. Chase County is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.The county has been the subject...

, was built in 1857 by Orlo H. Drinkwater and W. L. Fowler on Drinkwater's farm. The fort served the area settlers as a refuge during Indian disturbances until 1868. It was built on the south bank of Cedar Creek

Cedar Creek

-In Delaware:*Cedar Creek, Delaware*Cedar Creek Hundred, an unincorporated subdivision of Sussex County, Delaware-In Georgia:*Cedar Creek , former name for Vickery Creek, a tributary of the Chattahoochee River-In Indiana:...

. In 1862 Orlo Drinkwater became the area's postmaster and his fort home served as the post office for several years, until the town of Cedar Point, Kansas

Cedar Point, Kansas

Cedar Point is a city in Chase County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 28.-History:In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a main line east-west through Cedar Grove. In 1996, it merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the...

, was established a mile to the west. After Drinkwater built a stone house on a nearby hill, Fort Drinkwater was completely abandoned and collapsed after years of neglect.