Fort Scott
Around Fort Scott
Photo: RJWillems · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Kansas · 14k people
Fort Scott
Locals say Bourbon County
Prairie crossroads with a storied past
Fort Scott High School orangePrairie tealNight sky indigo
Welcome to Bourbon County, where the prairie meets the Marmaton River. Come for the history, stay for the small-town warmth and the friendliest folks in Kansas.
Clubs for Fort Scott
No clubs for Fort Scott yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Fort Scott. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Fort Scott. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Fort Scott National Historic Site Restored 1840s frontier fort with period buildings and exhibits.
- Fort Scott National Cemetery Final resting place for veterans from the Civil War onward.
- Historic Downtown Fort Scott Well-preserved 19th-century commercial district with shops and cafés.
- Bourbon County Courthouse Romanesque Revival building at the center of town.
- Gunn Park City park with a lake, trails, and picnic shelters.
- Fort Scott Lake Reservoir popular for fishing and boating.
- Outdoors Hiking at Fort Scott National Historic Site
- Outdoors Fishing at Fort Scott Lake
- With kids Tour Fort Scott National Historic Site
- With kids Play at Gunn Park
- Evenings Local bars with live music
- Evenings High school football games
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Farm stands
Through the year
- Good Ol' Days Festival June Historic downtown celebration with parade, music, and food.
- Bourbon County Fair July Livestock shows, carnival rides, and local exhibits.
- Memorial Day Ceremony May Commemoration at the Fort Scott National Cemetery with speeches and flags.
- Fort Scott Christmas Parade December Evening parade through downtown with lights and floats.
- Fourth of July Fireworks July Fireworks display at Gunn Park.
Bourbon County has a classic Kansas climate – hot, humid summers and cold winters, with spring storms and mild falls. Best: Spring and fall are perfect – mild days and cool nights.
Talk like a local
- “The Fort”
- Short for Fort Scott, the county seat.
- “Going to town”
- Going to the main commercial area of Fort Scott.
- “Creek”
- Any small stream or creek, not just the Marmaton.
- “Wheat harvest”
- The busy time during wheat harvest in early summer.
Getaways
- Pittsburg, KS College town with shops, restaurants, and the Kansas Crossing Casino.
- Lamar, MO Home to the Harry S Truman Birthplace and a charming square.
- Joplin, MO Larger city with the Route 66 Mural Park and Shoal Creek.
- Parsons–Chanute, KS Historic railroad towns with museums and antique shops.
Local flavour
Rooting for Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats
Eat and drink
- Chicken fried steak A diner staple across the region, often served with cream gravy.
- Biscuits and gravy Hearty breakfast comfort food found in local cafes.
- Meatloaf A classic homestyle dish at small-town diners.
- Kansas City–style BBQ Though not native to Bourbon County, it's the BBQ style locals crave and order from nearby KC.
Where people go
- Fort Scott National Historic Site A well‑preserved frontier fort that anchors the town's identity and Civil War history.
- Prairie trails and open fields Rolling tallgrass prairie, perfect for hiking, hunting, and quiet contemplation.
- Small‑town diners Family‑run cafes serving classic American breakfasts and lunch plates.
- Grain elevators Iconic landmarks of the agricultural landscape, visible from miles away.
- Historic downtown Fort Scott Brick streets and 19th‑century architecture, home to local shops and the annual Good Ol' Days festival.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaLamarMissouriQuiet hills, golden fields, and a warm welcome.PittsburgKansasWhere the prairie meets the minesIolaKansasPrairie skies, small-town smiles.Parsons–ChanuteKansasPrairie roots, small-town soul.JoplinMissouriWhere the Ozarks meet the plainsOttawaKansasSunflower country, warm hearts.MiamiOklahomaBig skies, calm waters, and small-town warmth.WarrensburgMissouriWhere the prairie meets the sky
Bourbon County, KS. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.