By Doug Rich
Okay I admit it, I am a history junkie. I read history books, watch the history channel, and I can spend all day in a museum. If you are a history junkie looking for a weekend getaway with your family plan a trip to Fort Scott, Kan. Located in the Little Ozarks region of southeast Kansas, Fort Scott played an important role in the settlement of this region and the transformation of Kansas from a territory to a state.
HISTORY
The Fort Scott National Historic Site is located just one block east of the downtown district in Fort Scott. The City of Fort Scott is an easy 90 mile drive south of Kansas City, Mo., or 60 miles north of Joplin, Mo., on Highway 69. The Fort, named after General Winfield Scott, was built in stages beginning in 1842. It was strategically built between Fort Leavenworth to the north and Fort Gibson to the south. The original purpose of the Fort was to keep peace on the Indian frontier. Heavily armed dragoons or mounted troops manned the Fort.
From 1854 to 1861 Fort Scott played an important role in the "Bleeding Kansas" period in this state. Fort Scott was a supply center for Union armies in the west. In 1863 the post quartermaster employed 350 wagons, 400 horses, and 2,200 mules.
The Army abandoned the Fort in 1853 but during the 1870s the U.S. Army used Fort Scott to protect workers building a railroad across disputed lands.
Fort Scott is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years.
For more local history visit the U.S. National Cemetery #1, the Chenault Mansion, the Lyons Victorian Mansion, the Ralph Richards Museum or the Keeney Train collection.
Best Time to Visit
Plan your getaway to Fort Scott any time that suits your schedule, but I will make this suggestion. For a special and beautiful experience come to the Fort Scott Candlelight Tour held every December at Fort Scott National Historic Site. The entire site is illuminated by hundreds of candles while park staff and actors in period costume act out scenes from Fort Scott's colorful history. The focus of the tour in 2004 was the turbulent era of Bleeding Kansas. Tickets are required for this special event.
The candlelight tour provides visitors with a glimpse back into the past. The Fort Scott Candlelight tour will be held December 5 and 6 this year. Reservations can be made by calling 620-223-0310.
Fort Scott puts on a real show during the Christmas season. In December there is a Homes for the Holidays tour of selected Victorian homes decorated for the holiday season. There is also an evening trolley tour of the homes and neighborhoods and a chocolate tasting event.
NON-HISTORIC ACTIVITIES
Just in case someone in your group is not crazy about history there are other activities in and around Fort Scott. There are several very nice parks in the area including Gunn Park, Fisher Park, University Square Park, Kansas Rocks Recreational Park, and the Bourbon Wildlife area. Fort Scott Lake and Rock Creek Lake offer plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, or just some time to enjoy a sunny day. Gunn Park has canoes and paddle boats for rent along with play equipment for the children and six shelter houses. The Kansas Rocks Recreational Park has 240 acres full of off-road trails for slow speed 4-wheel drive vehicles, bicycles, and hiking. There are three levels of difficulty on the 40 miles of trails in the park. A daily admission fee of $10 for vehicles and $5 for bicycles is charged. An annual pass is available for $50. The Bourbon Wildlife Area along with the Hollister Wildlife Area have an abundance of quail, deer, turkey, squirrel and waterfowl to hunt.
If your schedule does not allow a trip to Fort Scott for the Candlelight Tour there are numerous local festivals and fairs around which to plan your visit. In June there is the Good Ol' Days celebrations, and the Kansas Chautauqua. (Sorry about that, but the Chautauqua is a historic event but still fun.) The Bourbon County Fair is held in July and Fort Scott Airport Day is held in September. Airport Day includes a military fly-over and aerobatics demonstrations, hot air balloons and lots of good food. A downtown fall festival and the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is held at the fairgrounds in September. The Fiesta includes antique gas and steam engine demonstrations (whoops more history) along with tractor pulls, arts, crafts, and a quilt show.
FOOD, LODGING, ETC.
There are several hotels and motels in Fort Scott. If those are full go 30 miles east to Nevada, Mo., or 30 miles south to Pittsburgh, Kan., where you can find accommodations to fit your preference and your budget. You have a wide choice of restaurants in Fort Scott, but I suggest a short drive to Pittsburgh, Kan., to enjoy a meal at Chicken Mary's. Good chicken dinners served family style. For more information go to www.fortscott.com. The Fort Scott Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday Jan. 2 to March 15, daily March 16 to December 5, and Monday through Friday from December 6 to March 11.
For more advice and information, contact the following sources:
Journal GetAways Kansas Listings
Book a Trip with Expedia or Orbitz
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