Fort Scott
National Historic Site
Fort Scott
National Historic Site
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The thirty-one year span of history interpreted at Fort Scott National Historic Site is perhaps the most significant era of our nation's history. Fort Scott witnessed a decade of rapid westward expansion followed by civil strife and unrest that brought about our nation's deadliest conflict.
Fort Scott National Historic Site consists of 20 historic structures, a parade ground and five acres of restored tallgrass prairie. The architectural style of the buildings is French Colonial with Greek Revival elements. The exteriors of the buildings are restored to their 1840s appearance.
Fort Scott NHS is open year round from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. from April-October and 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. from November-March. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
The fee is $2.00 per adult (17 and above) or $4.00 per family (spouse, parents and children). Golden Age, Golden Access, and Golden Eagle Passports are honored.
Fort Scott National Historic Site is located in downtown Fort Scott, Kansas. U.S. Highways 69 and 54 intersect here. Fort Scott is about 90 miles south of Kansas City and 60 miles northwest of Joplin, Missouri. It is 4 miles from the Kansas-Missouri border. Approaches from all directions are well signed.
To Park: The majority of visitors to Fort Scott come by
private automobile. The town is served by Jefferson Bus Lines and
also has a small airport. Larger airports are located in Joplin
and Kansas City.
In Park: Walking Tour
Audio-visual program, self-guided tours, attending special events (see below) and summer interpretive programs.
A minimum of one hour is recommended to view the 12-minute audio-visual program and to walk through the buildings. Three to four hours are required to read all the exhibits and to participate in the weekend interpretive programs. Activities on special event weekends go throughout the day.
Visitor Center, Exhibits:
The visitor center and bookstore are open year round. Eleven
historic buildings containing 33 historically furnished rooms are
open to the public. The site also contains 3 museum areas and a
12-minute audio-visual program.
Trails, Roads:
The site includes five acres of restored tallgrass prairie. A
short walking trail takes you through a portion of the prairie.
Programs, Activities:
The site is open daily for self-guided tours. Guided tours and
interpretive programs are offered on the weekends during the
summer. Guided tours at other times of year are available for
groups by advance arrangement. During the spring, middle school
and elementary education programs are presented. The site also
hosts five special events per year and participates in a sixth in
conjunction with the community.
Lodging and Camping Facilities:
Lodging and camping are available in the town of Fort Scott.
Food, Supplies:
Food and supplies are available in the town of Fort Scott.
Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and
Opportunities:
Southwest Parks
and Monuments, a non-profit cooperating association, operates
an outlet in the visitor center. Sales items include books,
postcards, maps, posters, an audio-visual selection, and
souvenirs. A mail order catalog is available.
Accessibility/Special Needs:
Parking, restrooms, and most first floors are accessible to those
in wheelchairs. The audio-visual program is also accessible and
is closed-captioned. A photo book and video tour are available
for the mobility impaired. A wheelchair is available for onsite
use at the visitor center.
Reservations are required for the following three activities:
Permits are required for commercial filming and for other special uses.
Spring and autumn are pleasant with mild temperatures. Summers are generally hot and humid, while winters are mild with periods of cold weather and varying snowfall. Thunderstorms are common throughout the spring and summer. Heavy coats should be worn in winter, while persons traveling in other seasons should bring rain gear in case of thunderstorms.
Some buildings may be closed during periods of snowfall and heavy rain.
In 1998, there were 51,000 visitors. The majority of the visitors come in the spring and summer. The slowest months are January and February.
In Town:
Dolly the Trolley, Ralph Richards Museum, National Cemetery,
Victorian Homes, Historic Downtown, Antique Shops.
Related Area Sites:
Adair Cabin State Historic Site, Marais des Cygnes State Historic
Site, Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site, Bushwhacker
Museum, Prairie State Park.
Area National Park Sites:
Fort Larned National Historic Site, Brown vs. Board of Education
National Historic Site, Harry S. Truman National Historic Site,
George Washington Carver National Monument, Wilson Creek National
Battlefield, Pea Ridge National Military Park, Fort Smith
National Historic Site, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve,
Nicodemus National Historic Site.
Established as a National Historic Landmark-October 1964
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places-October 1964
Established as an NPS Affiliated Area-August 31, 1965
Authorized as a National Park Service unit-October 19, 1978
Established as a National Historic Site-May 18, 1979
Public Law 95-484, dated October 19, 1978, authorized the
establishment of Fort Scott National Historic Site "...to
commemorate the significant role played by Fort Scott in the
opening of the West, as well as the Civil War and strife in the
state of Kansas that preceded it..."
There are 16.69 acres of land at the site, all of which are federally owned.
For further information on Fort Scott National Historic Site,
call (316)223-0310,
write to:
Fort Scott National Historic Site
P.O. Box 918
Fort Scott, KS 66701-0918
or e-mail fosc_superintendent@nps.gov
For further information about activities in the town of Fort Scott, call the Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-245-FORT or visit the city of Fort Scott's website.
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Author: Barak V. Geertsen