Military
2
Fort Scott began in 1842 as an army post on the road between Fort Leavenworth and Fort Gibson, created to protect westward-moving settlers and, in theory, Native communities. Built as an open prairie post around a large parade ground, it was only partly completed before the army stopped work and abandoned it in 1853. The site soon became a flashpoint during Bleeding Kansas, with rival free-soil and pro-slavery factions occupying former fort buildings. Reoccupied by the Union in 1861, it served as a major supply depot, hospital, prison, and recruiting and training site for Black soldiers. Restored in the twentieth century, it preserves an unusually complete frontier post.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free
FIND IT
Fort Scott, Kansas · United States
