Fort Scott has served many purposes since its construction in the 1840. It served as training grounds and peace keeping as Native American were force West of the Mississippi. Following the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, the buildings were sold the town of Fort Scott was born. Fort Scott sat at the heart of the debate around slave and free states during the “Bleeding Kansas” era. The old barracks were turned into hotels, one being dubbed the Free State hotel for those not in support of slavery while the other was called the Western Hotel, serving proslavery men. During the Civil War, this site was used by Union forces and troops again occupied the buildings. The current visitors center (pictured above) was the hospital during the Civil War.

The old structures have been restored to their original beauty and stood proudly in this charming old town with brick streets.