HISTORY OF THE BUILDING

Two buildings on the site were originally used as infantry barracks. Both of the existing structures are reconstructed.

The building to the top is located on the southeast side of the parade ground between the guardhouse and the quartermaster storehouse. It was originally designated as a second dragoon barracks, but by mid-1843, the composition of troops at the fort had changed and instead of having two dragoon companies and one infantry company, there were now two infantry companies and one dragoon company. Construction on this building got underway in the fall of 1843 and was ready for occupancy by July of 1844 when 4th Infantry, Company D moved in.

When the fort was abandoned in 1853, the history of this building also disappeared. It is known that it was used by the Union Army during the Civil War and that it was still standing in 1871. Nothing is known about its later uses or the date of its demolition. Presently, the National Park Service uses the upper level as a meeting hall. The lower floor contains public restrooms and dressing rooms for living history programs.

The building to the bottom was designed to be an infantry barracks from the beginning. It was ready for occupation by August of 1844. 4th Infantry, Company C moved into this building in September of 1844.

Two years after the fort was abandoned, this building, like all those at the fort, was sold at public auction. Shortly after, this building became the Western Hotel, known briefly as the "Pro-Slavery" Hotel. It stood as a rival to the Fort Scott or "Free State" Hotel, directly across the parade ground. It was rumored that the Marais Des Cygnes Massacre - a massacre in which Pro Slavery men gunned down several Free Staters - was plotted here. In retaliation, James Montgomery - a Free-State leader - tried to burn this building to the ground.

During the Civil War, this building was used as part of the hospital function. After the Civil War, it was again known as the Western Hotel and later became a boarding house. It is unknown when the original building was torn down. Today, the building houses the site's museum and the orientation program.