Fort Scott, Kansas
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Downtown Fort Scott, Kansas |
Fort Scott is located in Bourbon County, Kansas, 88 miles (158 km) south of
Kansas City, on the
Marmaton River. The population was 8,297 at the 2000 census. Fort Scott is the
county seat of
Bourbon County, Kansas, and is home of the
Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Established and garrisoned by the U.S. Army from 1842-1853, soldiers at
Fort Scott assisted with the protection of the Permanent Indian Frontier. After the army abandoned the fort in 1853, the buildings were purchased by local settlers at a government auction in 1855. The former military post became the center of one of the largest towns in
Kansas Territory.
Between 1855 and 1861, the citizens of Fort Scott experienced the violent unrest that preceded the
American Civil War on the Kansas and Missouri border. Eastern newspapers described this violence as "
Bleeding Kansas", a result of the national controversy concerning the extension of slavery into the new territories. Murder, mayhem, robbery, and arson were committed by bold free-state and pro-slavery advocates in the name of their cause. On January 29, 1861,
Kansas entered the union as a free state, but the turmoil of "
Bleeding Kansas" continued throughout the Civil War.
During the Civil War, Fort Scott was a U.S Army district Headquarters, quartermaster supply depot, training center, and recruitment station. It was strategically vital to the defense of Kansas and the Midwest.
After the Civil War, Fort Scott was a premier city of the frontier, one of the largest cities in eastern Kansas. On three different occasions, between 1870 and 1900,
Fort Scott was in competition with
Kansas City to become the largest railroad center west of the Mississippi. During the first half of the 20th century, Fort Scott became the agricultural, small industrial, and insurance center which it continues to be today.
Downtown Fire
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Downtown Fort Scott on fire. |
In March 2005, a fire destroyed several historic buildings in Fort Scott's downtown. The Victorian-era buildings were among many that are a symbol of the town.
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Location of Fort Scott, Kansas |
Fort Scott is located at (37.835180, -94.702015).
This Is About 88 miles (158 km) south of
Kansas City.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.1 km² (5.4 mi²). 14.1 km² (5.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.0 km² (0.0 mi²) of it (0.18%) is water.
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Fort Scott - Official Town Website
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Fort Cinema*
Liberty Theatre*
Good Ol' Days*
USD 234*
Fort Scott Community College*
Lyon's Mansion Bed and Breakfast
