Fort Scott Kansas - History and Hauntings

KANSAS LEGENDS

Fort Scott - History & Hauntings

Fort Scott History

Fort Scott, initially called Camp Scott and named in honor of General Winfield Scott, was established on May 30, 1842 at the Marmaton crossing of the Fort Leavenworth-Fort Gibson military road.

It was among nine forts originally planned to line the area between the Great Lakes and New Orleans to separate proposed Indian lands and white settlements.

Just four days after Captain Benjamin Moore and Companies A and C, First Dragoons (horse soldiers,) abandoned nearby Fort Wayne, the troops began the building of Fort Scott. Normal daily activities included the general construction of the fort and routine drills by the Dragoons. On occasion map making expeditions were made.

Old Fort Scott Hospital

The Old Fort Scott Hospital has been restored and now serves as the Visitor's Center. Kathy Weiser, March, 2004.

Overlooking the confluence of Mill Creek and the Marmaton River, the location was perfect for helping to protect and maintain the many pioneers headed westward.

Soon, Fort Scott evolved from a small military fort into a settlement that went by the same name. However, the post was virtually abandoned in April 1853, when the garrison was transferred to Fort Riley and other western posts. The buildings were sold at public auction on May 16, 1855. The Government did not own the land.

After the outbreak of the Civil War, Fort Scott was reactivated on March 29, 1862 and again assumed importance as a military outpost. At this time, the settlement of Fort Scott was socially and politically divided due to its proximity to the Missouri border and the confllict that preceded the war, referred to as "Bleeding Kansas." During the war, Fort Scott was continually occupied continually by Union forces, becoming a large supply depot and was critical to the defense of eastern Kansas and the Midwest. However, after the war was over, the fort was once again abandoned in the fall of 1865.

In the meantime, the settlement of Fort Scott that had grown up around the post developed into a large railroad boomtown in the 1870's.

Today, the city of Fort Scott is the only major town still existing in Kansas that developed from a U.S. Army fort established before Kansas became a territory and a state.

The fort itself is today restored and preserved as National Historic site. The historic site is located in downtown Fort Scott ate the intersection of U.S. Highways 69 and 54.

Contact Information:

Fort Scott National Historic Site
P.O. Box 918
Fort Scott, Kansas 66701

620-223-0310

Fort Scott Hauntings

Fort Grounds - There have been several sightings of ghost-like civil war soldiers looming on the lawn and around the courtyard. Officers have also been seen in the cell blocks and stables.

On one occasion a visitor to the fort made a comment to one of the staff about a nice conversation he had with a gentleman dressed in period costume. However, the staff person was somewhat confused as no one on staff was scheduled to be dressed in costume that particular day. Inquiring at the office, this was confirmed. It appears that the Fort Scott tourist had the "pleasure" of meeting one of Fort's many ghosts.

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The Officers Quarters. The building on the left

once served as the Free State Hotel. Kathy Weiser,

March, 2004.

Officers Quarters - The Officer's Quarters are said to be the most haunted. Long ago an officer accidentally shot himself when riding up to the building on the left. He had been showing off for his wife. The devastated woman held him in her arms as he died in front of the building. According to our reader Carol, she has felt the presence of the long dead woman in the quarters on many occasions.

The building on the left once served as the Free State Hotel. However, when the fort was permanently closed, both buildings served as an orphanage home called Goodlander's for many years. According to staff and guests, the sound of these long ago orphan children are often heard playing in the two buildings.

Several sightings of fog-like apparitions have been reported sifting from the chimney in the officer's quarters. It is said that at midnight every night a ghostly figure can be seen looking out of the window of the officer's building formerly known as the Free State Hotel.

Fort Scott Post Headquarters

Post Headquarters. March, 2004, Kathy Weiser.

Fort Scott guard house

Guardhouse, March, 2004, Kathy Weiser

Also See:

Haunted Fort Blair (Baxter)

Haunted Fort Dodge

Haunted Fort Hays

Haunted Fort Leavenworth

Haunted Fort Riley

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