Fort Scott's storied and sometimes violent history dates back to the compound's founding in 1842. The outpost's horse soldiers played a strategic role in protecting pioneers along the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails during the "Bleeding Kansas" conflict, the Civil War and railroad development. It appears not everyone involved in the shuttered fort's history desired to leave. Many who have toured the fort encountered an array of ghostly residents.
Meet Fort Scott's Ghosts
- Ghosts reportedly appear regularly at Fort Scott -- keep an eye open while touring for figures dressed in period clothing. Apparitions of Civil War soldiers are said to haunt the courtyards, cell blocks and stables. The Officer Quarters are thought to be haunted by an officer who inadvertently shot himself as he approached the building, then died in his wife's arms. The wife's ghost has also made appearances at this building. Following the fort's closure, the Officer Quarters and adjacent Free State Hotel both housed orphans. Visitors report hearing these long-dead children playing in the two buildings. At least one ghost has taken up permanent residence at the hotel. At the stroke of midnight each night, it's reported that an apparition is seen peering out one of the hotel windows.
Dolly the Trolley Tours
- Board Dolly the Trolley at the Fort Scott Visitor Center for narrated tours of the haunted Fort Scott National Historic Site and other landmarks. Locals share the town's colorful legends during this 50-minute tour. The Dolly tours also showcase the first National Cemetery and area mansions. Tours run from March through December; in the past, Dolly ghost tours held in October have attracted ghost hunters. Check with the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center for seasonal schedules.
Park Service Tours
- Meet the ghosts of Fort Scott on your own terms during a self-guided tour of the site. The National Park Service manages Fort Scott's 20 historic buildings, parade grounds and tallgrass prairie. Admission for a ghost hunt is totally free. Start the expedition by getting acquainted with the fort layout and history via an audio-visual show presented at the Infantry Barracks Museum. You may also wish to stop at the Visitor Center for additional information. Allow four hours to explore the entire complex. Be alert: Visitors have reported talking with costumed people believed to be staff, but later discovered these individuals did not exist. Hour-long guided fort tours are available throughout the summer months. Check at the historic site's Visitor Center for the seasonal schedule.
Dial-A-Ghost
- The National Park Service also offers a 13-minute cell phone tour of Fort Scott for your use before, during, or after your visit. The tour showcases 12 of the compound's 20 buildings and the fort's contribution to American history. There's no charge; just call 1-620-921-3117. It's also possible to download the tour script from the National Park Service Fort Scott website.
