Fort Scott was established in 1842 as one in a line of forts built to protect the frontier and keep peace between the Native American tribes who had been pushed west and the settlers who were flooding into former Indian territory. As settlers moved even farther west, keeping the boundary line proved to be an impossible task and the army abandoned Fort Scott in 1853. The buildings were sold to local citizens and Fort Scott, which was located on the Kansas – Missouri border, became a hotbed for the raiding and violence that occurred over whether Kansas would be a free or slave state. Because this was decided by a vote both anti-slavery and pro-slavery forces converged on the area in an attempt to outvote their opposition. Nearly 60 people died and hundreds were terrorized. During the Civil War, the army occupied the fort again and it was also a supply point in 1870 to early 1873 when it was necessary to protect workers building the railroads.
Eleven buildings have survived and are open to the public. Stop at the visitor center to get a map of the grounds. The museum next to the visitor center has an excellent exhibit featuring very diverse stories about living through all of the changes that occurred in the area. The other buildings have interpretive signs and are furnished to depict life in the fort.
The fort is not very accessible. Most of the buildings have ramps but they do not meet flush with the paving stones which are extremely rough. The second floors of all of the buildings except for the museum are accessed by stairs only. The museum has a very slow elevator.
Follow the signs for RV parking. There isn’t a curb cut and the hill up to the fort is steep so visitors with mobility issues may opt to be dropped off at the small lots in front of the fort. Short RVs will fit in these lots or can be parked across the spaces on non-busy days.
Fort 37.84284, -94.70545
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