Established and garrisoned by the U.S. Army from 1842 to 1853, soldiers at military Fort Scott assisted with the protection of the Permanent Indian Frontier.

After the army abandoned the fort in 1853, the buildings were purchased by local settlers at a government auction in 1855.

[7] Between 1855 and 1861, the citizens of Fort Scott experienced the violent unrest that preceded the American Civil War on the Kansas and Missouri border.

Eastern newspapers described this violence as "Bleeding Kansas", a result of the national controversy concerning the extension of slavery into the new territories.

During the Civil War, Fort Scott was a U.S. Army district Headquarters, quartermaster supply depot, training center, and recruitment station.

The battle was a pro-South victory for Sterling Price and his Missouri State Guard.

Price did not hold the fort and instead continued a northern push into Missouri in an attempt to recapture the state.

Senator James H. Lane was to launch a Jayhawker offensive behind Price from Fort Scott that led to the Sacking of Osceola.

The ill will of these actions was to be the basis for the 1976 Clint Eastwood film The Outlaw Josey Wales.

On three occasions, between 1870 and 1900, Fort Scott was in competition with Kansas City to become the largest railroad center west of the Mississippi.

[8] During the first half of the 20th century, Fort Scott became an agricultural and small industrial center which it continues to be today.

On March 11, 2005, a fire destroyed several historic buildings in Fort Scott's downtown.

[9] Fort Scott lies on the Osage Plains on the south side of the Marmaton River.

[12] On average, Fort Scott experiences 83.3 days of precipitation a year.

[12] On average, January is the coolest month, July the hottest and June the wettest.

[13] The 2020 United States census counted 7,552 people, 3,080 households, and 1,811 families in Fort Scott.

Approximately, 6.5 miles of single track, mountain bike trails have been added in the timber, and along the Marmaton River.

There was a large wood theater building on the other side of Fern Lake with a seating capacity of 800.

During special events such as July 4, the street cars would take as many as 10,000 people to the park in one day.