Kit Carson to protect travelers on the most dangerous part of the Cimarron Cut-off of the Santa Fe Trail from raids by the Kiowa and Comanche Indians.

Established in May 1865 and abandoned in September 1865, it was the only human-made structure along the Cimarron Cut-off while it was an active route.

[4] The site was about halfway (150 miles (240 km)) between Fort Union and the Cimarron Crossing of the Arkansas River.

Only ruins remain; much of the stone has been removed by people wishing to use it in building other structures.

[3] Cedar Spring, about 0.25 miles (0.4) km west of the fort, provided fresh water for the camp and for passing wagon trains.