Trails to the Past: Fort Scott, Kansas

Bourbon County Cities and Towns

Fort Scott

Fort Scott was established by the U.S. Army from 1842-1853 to assist with the protection of the Permanent Indian Frontier. It was abandoned as a military fort in 1853, and settlers purchased the buildings at a government auction in 1855. Thus Fort Scott became one of the largest settlements in Kansas Territory. Between 1855 & 1861 there was a great deal of turmoil and unrest because of the national controversey concerning new states and their stance over the slavery question. In 1861 Kansas entered the United States as a "Free State," but the turmoil continued throughout the Civil War because of their boundary with Missouri. After the Civil War, Fort Scott was a railroad center, then later on became an agricultural, small industrial and insurance center.

Please note that the Skyways web site was down at the time this information was being developed. We'll try to return soon to complete the City and Town page

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October 15, 2010