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Fort Scott National Historic SitePhotograph of Powder Magazine and Officers Quarters at Fort Scott
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Fort Scott National Historic Site
History & Culture
Dragoons meeting with Indians
The story of Fort Scott is the story of America growing up. When the fort was first established in 1842, the nation was still young, just entering its adolescence and was confined largely to the area east of the Mississippi River. Yet within a few years, the soldiers of Fort Scott became involved in events that would lead to tremendous spurts of growth and expansion as the country spread westward to the Pacific. As the nation developed, it experienced growing pains. Increased tensions over slavery led to the conflict and turmoil of "Bleeding Kansas" and the Civil War. Fort Scott takes you through these years of crisis and beyond to the time when the United States emerged into maturity as a united, transcontinental nation.
 
Officers Quarters that later became the Goodlander Home for Children  

Did You Know?
After Fort Scott was abandoned by the army in 1853, the buildings were sold at public auction, and the fort became the town of Fort Scott. One of the officers' quarters eventually became the Goodlander Home for Children. For about fifty years, orphans and other needy children were cared for here.

Last Updated: April 28, 2009 at 09:53 EST