Fort Scott National Historic Site -- America's Best Idea

Last week was the film by Ken Burns, "National Parks, America's Best Idea" . . . we are fortunate here on the prairie to have not a park but a National Historic Site -- the old Fort -- the foundation of our town in 1842 when the Fort was built.

It was abandoned in 1853 although it did house soldiers during the Civil War.

But thankfully, some caring citizens petitioned congress to make the Fort a National Historic Site in the 1970's . . . and a bill was passed and five or so acres and the buildings on it were made a National Historic Site.

Not all of the buildings were in good enough condition to be restored so some reconstruction took place.
It is a Fort without a stockade (as you see in movie westerns) but it primarily function when it was built was to keep peace between the Indians in Kansas and the citizens in Missouri.

Two years ago we brought the Budweiser Clydesdales to Fort Scott. They stayed in the Fort stables while they were here. The stables that once housed Dragoon horses.

I'm sharing America's Best Idea on this Outdoor Wednesday. Stop by and visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer to see what everyone else is doing outside.

Stop by The Fort Scott National Historic Site to learn more about our fort and how proud we are to have this National Treasure in our little town.

If you have a National Park or National Historic Site within driving distance, make a point to go and visit. They are truly America's Best Ideas and true American treasures.