Salina had been raided in 1862 by Native Americans and then Confederate guerrillas, but it was not until May 1864 when residents decided they needed to build a stockade for protection.
On May 17, 1864, a makeshift stockade, consisting of wagons placed in a circle around the town's flagpole, was erected.
Conflicts in the area with certain Indian groups remained until at least the end of the Civil War.
[6][7] Meanwhile, the building inside the stockade was remodeled and in September 1864 was opened as Salina's first public school.
On June 20, 1865, an order was issued to place a company of troops from the 15th Kansas Cavalry at Salina, but there is no confirmation that this was done.