• Fort Parade Ground and Officers Quarters as seen from Guardhouse

    Fort Scott

    National Historic Site Kansas

People

Refugees at Fort Scott during the Civil War. Some of the many people who influenced Fort Scott's history.

People of Fort Scott during the Civil War.

Artist, Hugh Brown

Part of the story of Fort Scott is the story of the people who lived in the area; people who often had incompatible goals. This incompatibility often resulted in conflict, but sometimes led to greater understanding and acceptance. Two groups in particular who were disdained by many, through their courage and determination earned respect. American Indians and African Americans at Fort Scott played a role throughout Fort Scott's history and ended up as soldiers fighting alongside some of the people who had doubted their abilities. Some of their stories can be explored in the following pages.
 
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Did You Know?

Park volunteer, Anatika Timmons-Lee (now deceased) portrays Anna in a dramatic presentation.

Many officers at Fort Scott in the 1840s owned slaves. One particular slave, Anna, was rented to Hiero Wilson, post sutler. Born free and educated, she was kidnapped into slavery in 1820, In 1849, she regained her freedom, married, operated a hotel in Eastern Kansas, and later became a pioneer.