lieutenant was housed in one room while captains could claim two. In the rear of each half of the building was a kitchen and servant's quarters. Blockhouse – The first sandstone structure to be completed was the blockhouse. It provided for defense. Built with two floor, each with loopholes to defend from attackers. It included an underground well. As the threat of attack diminished, the blockhouse was converted into the post's prison. The well tunnel was partially filled and used for solitary confinement. The rifle loopholes were also filled. The blockhouse is the only sandstone building that has been completely rebuilt, though it has been located on its original foundation. With nine historic buildings, the fort survives as one of the best-preserved examples of Indian Wars-period forts. Most of the buildings, including the barracks, commissary, and officers quarters, are furnished to their original appearance. Fort Larned National Historic Site is open daily, year-round, and admission is free. The park offers several special events throughout the year, living history demonstrations, and ranger-guided tours. Units stationed at Fort Larned The following units were stationed at Fort Larned during its 19 years of operation: 1st U.S. Cavalry – 1859 2nd U.S. Infantry – 1859–63 2nd U.S. Dragoons – 1860–61 2nd Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry – 1862 9th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry – 1862–64 2nd Colorado Volunteer Cavalry – 1862–65 9th Battery, Wisconsin Light Artillery – 1862–65 1st Colorado Volunteer Cavalry – 1862–64 12th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry – 1863 McLain’s Independent Colorado Volunteer Battery – 1864 15th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry – 1864–65 3rd Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry – 1864 11th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry – 1864–65 2nd U.S. Volunteer Infantry – 1865 48th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment – 1865 17th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry – 1865 2nd U.S. Cavalry – 1865–66 13th U.S. Infantry – 1865 3rd U.S. Infantry – 1866–72 37th U.S. Infantry – 1867 10th U.S. Cavalry – 1867–69 6th U.S. Infantry – 1871–72 5th U.S. Infantry – 1872–74 19th U.S. Infantry – 1874–78 The 10th US Cavalry, stationed at Fort Larned from 1867 to 1869, was one of the first two all-black cavalry units utilized in the country, along with the 9th US Cavalry. On January 2, 1869, the 10th Cavalry's stables at Fort Larned burned to the ground. The fire killed dozens of horses, destroyed equipment, and caused the unit to be reassigned to Fort Zarah. In 1999, magnetic