Six-Stop Tour: Fort Scott, Kansas
A bit more than an hour south of Kansas City, Fort Scott is a delightful day trip full of history and memories.
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Kansas History
Fort Scott National Historic Site offers self-guided tours. As you tour the Fort, you’ll learn about the life of soldiers and note distinct differences in the living conditions of infantrymen and officers. The tour includes a field hospital, prison, bakehouse, kitchen, living quarters, stables, barracks, guardhouse, parade ground and museum complete with historical exhibits. NPS.gov/fosc/index.htm
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Farm Fresh
Freedom Farms is a family-owned sustainable Kansas farm. They participate in Kansas farm tours throughout the year, and you may schedule a visit. The owners believe in sharing their sustainable farming practices with the community and helping consumers understand how food is grown. See goats, chickens and more. FreedomFarmsKS.com
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Trolley Tours
On Fridays and Saturdays, enjoy a narrated trolley tour to learn the history of Fort Scott. Learn about famous artists like Albert Bigelow Paine, see Victorian mansions and homes and explore local history. Fort Scott was home to three brick factories producing 100,000 bricks weekly. Cobblestone roads still line several of the roads, making for a bumpy and educational ride.
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Pay Respects
In 1862, Congress approved the creation of national cemeteries, and Fort Scott became home to U.S. National Cemetery #1, one of 14 to be designated or established. Graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers, members of the Indian Home Guard and Buffalo Soldiers, Black troops who served in peacetime, are at this cemetery.
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Victorian Homes
Visit Fort Scott offers a free driving tour that you may download or pick up for free at the Visitors Information Center. Visitors are invited to see 52 Victorian homes on this self-directed tour. The homes were all built between 1842 and 1919. The driving tour offers a glimpse of life in the historic town. VisitFortScott.com
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Historic Heroes
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is home to the “Life in a Jar” Project, the story of Irena Sendler. Visitors are invited to see the exhibit showcasing engaging and unbelievable true stories of real-life unsung heroes who were not recognized in their own lifetime. All stories are researched and composed by students. LowellMilkenCenter.org