Fort Dodge was established to protect the early settlers from the local Indian tribes. The danger was mostly in the minds of the settlers so a fort was never built and the post was only manned for three years. Even so an accurate representation of a frontier fort has been built on the grounds. An additional dozen buildings, some relocated, some newly built, are opened to tour. Several have small museums with displays about the fort and the history of the city.
The main reason that we visited was to see the “real” Cardiff giant. The Cardiff Giant was a major hoax of the 1800s. A block of Fort Dodge gypsum was shipped to Chicago where it was carved into a 10’ man. The sculpture was buried on a New York farm, discovered while digging a well, then displayed as a petrified man. The exhibit generated thousands of dollars as people flocked to see it. The fake giant is still in New York but this one in Fort Dodge is a real one. ;- )
Although attempts have been made to make the fort and other buildings accessible it is almost impossible to see most of it without help. Even with help getting around is very hard. Most of the buildings have ramps but they weren't built with the ends flush with the ground so many have pieces added on that are steep. Most of the buildings have high thresholds. The paths are loose, deep gravel or lumpy, grassy ground.
The parking lot is large enough for any RV. Fort
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