Third Street Park is just east of Hwy. 69 past the railroad overpass on the south side of the street. This is a view from Wilson Street looking up the hill, taken in May 2022.
A park on Third Street is in the process of new playground equipment being installed and stairs have been completed for better access.
A Building Up Our Neighborhoods Placemaking project has already repaired the bathrooms and existing structures, including the basketball goal. Last week stairs were made from the upper level of the park to the lower level.
Rachel Carpenter. Submitted photo. 2023
This week additional playground structures will be installed and mulched, Rachel Carpenter, director, of the Healthy Bourbon Action Team (HBCAT), who is spearheading the project, said.
Bales of mulch await the final installations of playground equipment at Third Street Park on Sept. 15.
A project that was identified by the community through public forums, surveys, and a steering committee is making enhancements to Third Street Park, located just east of the train tracks on Third Street, according to Carpenter.
“The community members were able to develop priorities that they wanted to see happen at the park, Carpenter said in a press release. Those priorities are:
Fixing the bathrooms
Fixing the existing structures
Fixing the basketball goal
Adding additional playground structures
Adding stairs
“Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis provided volunteers to fix the existing structures, the basketball goals, and paint the bathrooms,” she said. “The City of Fort Scott provided an additional $10,000 that will go towards fixing up the bathrooms, fixing the pavilion floor, and surfacing for the existing structures.”
“This week Playscapes will be installing the new playground structures and putting down the rubber mulch surfacing,” she said. “The playground structures include a Temple Trolley, a Swizzler, and two bouncers.”
Mitch Welch, of Playscapes, Yates Center, puts up caution tape on Friday afternoon, Sept. 15, to keep people off the equipment that is being installed.
Marbery Concrete just constructed the concrete stairs that will allow community members to access the playground easier from the ballpark down the hill from the play area.
Tyler Sharp, Marbery Construction, Fort Scott, lays straw to prevent erosion following the building of the concrete stairs from the upper-level playground to the lower-level ball field at Third Street Park on Sept. 15.
“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is addressing the Social Determinants of Health by building up Neighborhoods and Environment,” Carpenter said. “One tool to increase community vitality is through creative placemaking projects.”
“Through funding from Patterson Family Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, HBCAT started the Stronger Together: Building Up Our Neighborhoods placemaking projects.”
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team office phone number: is 620-215-2562 and is located at 104 N. National, Fort Scott.
Candace Jobe, 37, has been the new MIS Clerk, Special Education Assistant, and U234 Board Clerk, since July 17.
“MIS and Special Education Assistant are the same thing,” she said. “I will be taking care of Paras and tracking training hours for them and helping our Special Education Teachers with various duties. Also, working in our Special Education Reporting Systems as well as assisting our Director, Tonya Barnes (she’s AMAZING) with any other tasks she has.”
USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main
“For Board Clerk I will be attending all board meetings, working with the Superintendent and Board President, recording minutes from board meetings, acting as custodian of records, and other duties as assigned to the clerk,” she said.
She grew up in Uniontown, school K-12, and graduated in 2005. “Being a part of a school has been my whole life with my Mom, Rolene Lowry, being West Bourbon Elementary School Secretary for 31 years and my Dad, Leon Lowry, as a Bus Driver/Custodian for 38 years,” she said. “I had the best of both worlds, working parents and stay-at-home parents. My brother also worked for the school district for over 10 years.”
After high school, she attended college in Oklahoma City and worked at the Bank of Oklahoma as a teller and then later in bond trading.
“We moved back closer to family and I worked at West Bourbon Elementary for the past nine years,” she said.
She and her husband, Joel, have two dogs, one of whom, Molly, gets to come to work with her every day.
“We are working towards her certification as a therapy dog and will be in the middle/high school to assist students and staff in any way needed,” she said.
“Being able to combine two things that I am VERY passionate about (kids and dogs) is something I can’t believe I get to do every day!”
“I am so thankful for the opportunity to work for USD 234,” she said. “Everyone has made me feel so welcomed and appreciated already. I don’t think any of the staff will ever know how much that has meant to me.”
Marla Heckman, 52, is the new Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Executive Director.
Heckman is new to Fort Scott.
“My husband, John, was born in Fort Scott,” she said. ” We were planning on retiring and moving here someday. There was some property that was going up for sale close to our family, so we decided to change our plans and move back sooner.”
Heckman started on September 5, 2023, as the Executive Director, “overseeing this wonderful community. I am so excited to work with the amazing TEAM here,” she said.
She received her education from the University of Oklahoma and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.
Heckman has 36 years in Healthcare-Independent Living, Assisted Living, Residential Care, Skilled Nursing, and Long-term Care.
“I served on the board for Care Providers Oklahoma, as well as, the Oklahoma State Department of Health Informal Dispute Resolution panel,” she said.
In her spare time she “loves spending time with family and friends.”
“I have never lived anywhere but Oklahoma, so I am excited to start some new hobbies, maybe gardening and having some chickens,” she said. “I look forward to being involved in the community and helping whenever possible.”
She has four children and 13 grandchildren.
Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott.
Heckman replaces Ginger Nance as the executive director.
When: September 20th, 2023, at 9:15 a.m. There will be a Reception for the Commander. Refreshments and light snacks will be available.
Where: Memorial Hall, 1 East Third Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
The General Public is encouraged to attend.
Daniel J. Seehafer was elected national commander of The American Legion on Aug. 31, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C., during the 104th national convention. Seehafer likes to say, “It’s personal,” when it comes to The American Legion’s mission of serving veterans and their families. He is continuing the theme of “Be the One,” to prevent veteran suicide.
An ordained minister from Wisconsin, he earned his American Legion eligibility through service in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, where he served as a military chaplain. A member of American Legion Post 157 in Horicon, Wis., Seehafer served in a number of American Legion offices at every level, including national chaplain and commander of the Department of Wisconsin.
Born and raised in Merrill, Wis., he lettered in cross-country track while in high school and later received a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry from Concordia University and a Master of Divinity at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Seehafer was installed as assistant pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Horicon in 1997 and continues to serve as administrative pastor of the church and its school. His American Legion post was recognized for “100 percent” and “All-Time High” in membership during his terms as commander and adjutant. Other honors include District Commander’s New Post Achievement Award, Silver Brigade, and Post 157 Legionnaire of the Year.
In 2023, Seehafer earned an Outstanding Heroism Award for administering the Heimlich maneuver to a choking victim at an American Legion dinner.
National Commander Seehafer and his wife, Stacey, who is a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 157, live in Beaver Dam, Wis. Dan’s son, Jacob, and daughter, Emma, are also members of the Post 157 family. Dan is the son of the late Lester Seehafer and Jean Sabatke.
Media Contact: Jessica Allison, Commander, American Legion Post #25. 620-224-4733, [email protected]
Mary Wyatt, 37, is the new Fort Scott Community Development Director, with an office located at City Hall.
City Manager Brad Matkin said that the city had a community development director four years ago and believes the position is important.
Fort Scott City Hall.
In her job, she will involved in projects for community venues such as the golf course, airport, Memorial Hall, Buck Run Community Center, Lake Fort Scott, LaRoche Stadium, and the Heathly Bourbon County Actions Team’s Downtown Arch Project.
Additionally, she will be working with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development and representing Fort Scott in Topeka, City Manager Matkin said.
“I sit on some event planning committee boards and volunteer for community events like the Gordon Parks Festival, and will be the facilitator for the city meetings of several advisory boards,” she said. “I research and apply for grant funding to make improvements to our community, I also assist our City Manager and Tourism Department on projects.”
“Her personality will be a great fit for not only our staff but with the citizens of Fort Scott,” Matkin said. “She is from Fort Scott and knows what the citizens want and need. She has goals set for herself and is a self-starter and that is very important in a position like this.”
She graduated from Fort Scott High School and Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in Health and Human Services
“I worked over a decade of my career at Medplans/Firstsource here in Fort Scott as a Claims Analyst, then promoted to Quality Analyst, four years of my career at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott and Olathe Health as an Insurance Specialist, then promoted to Patient Access Supervisor,” she said. “Most recently my husband and I started our own business in June of 2022, Wyatt’s HVAC & Home Solutions, LLC.”
“Going back to school to get my college degree was where I found my passion and niche in public health and safety,” she said.
“My husband David and I have two children, ” she said. “Our son Daxton just turned 15 and is a freshman at Fort Scott High School, he plays soccer for the Fort Scott Tigers. Our daughter Alayna is 12 years old and is in 7th grade at Fort Scott Middle School and plays volleyball there.”
“My birthday is on Halloween, so I’m into all things spooky… Halloween, fall candles, scary movies, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and Halloween costumes of course!” she said. “I’m also signing up to volunteer to help the Chamber of Commerce out with our Fall Festival here in town. I love to cook and bake, and I love crafting as well.”
Matkin said Wyatt stood out from the other candidates because she has dealt with the public, has been in management, and has experience working on saving time, money, and resources.
“I have a very strong and innate sense of empathy and compassion for all people of all backgrounds who are struggling, misunderstood, marginalized, and underrepresented,” she said.
She has lived in Fort Scott most of her life.
“That helps me to connect to and understand the needs of many different groups of people here,” she said. “This job entails a lot of meetings, research, number crunching, data, financial analysis, etc. that’s necessary to get the job done, but what gets me out of bed every day is my love and empathy for our community.”
“I also bring determination and perseverance to this position with the city and I’m not afraid of digging into hard work to get things accomplished. I come from a long line of blue-collar, salt of the earth, came up from nothing, earn-every-penny-we’ve-ever-had type of a family.”
“I have been on my own and working full-time since I was 17 years old, she said. “I haven’t had an easy life, I’ve had to work hard, fail, try again, fail, get up, and keep trying to accomplish my goals, but one thing about me, I never give up. I will never stop working towards making the City of Fort Scott a better place to live for our citizens. I will never throw in the towel, I will always get up every time I’m knocked down, and I will contribute everything I have in me in my time here with the city, to work towards a healthier and happier future for our community.”
Matkin decided not to fill the FS Human Resource Director position, instead spreading that out throughout the staff, “so the money from that position will fund the Community Development Director position. I will continue doing some of the delicate HR functions as well as my City Manager functions.”
The salary for the Fort Scott Community Development position is $52,500 – $70,000 range, he said.
Yesterday, September 11, a mental health and medical care clinic opened in the former Mercy Hospital building.
“All services with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center will now be offered at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.,” said Dawne Burchett, SEKMHC Manager of Prevention and Promotion. “We are very excited!”
The center will be serving from Suites B and C and hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact: 620.223.5030.
Crisis services are available 24/7 at 1-866-973-2241.
The Ashley Clinic is providing clinic service in Suite A.
The Ashley Clinic has had two doctors seeing patients in Suite A since the summer.
Dr. Jason Robinson, a urologist, has been seeing patients in Fort Scott since 2016. Starting in August, he has seen patients on the first Wednesday and the second Friday of each month.
Dr. Yi Ying Law, a general surgeon, started seeing patients in July in Fort Scott in the afternoon on the second and fourth Monday of each month.
Contact information for them is: 620-431-2500
Partners in Health Care
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC) and Ashley Clinic joined to create a more accessible, efficient, and effective model of care for the citizens of Kansas, according to a previous press release. The focus: leading integrated, whole-person care and breaking down barriers for patients.
One of the most challenging aspects of whole-person wellness is that individuals often see providers for their physical and mental health in different locations with different systems of care, according to a prior press release. With this partnership, there can be continuity of care where all providers can work as a team to help people achieve better health outcomes.
In the ever-changing healthcare environment, SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic are committed to providing resources to their employees and becoming a preferred employer in the community, according to the release.
Ashley Clinic
Ashley Clinic, founded by Dr. Samuel Ashley and his son Dr. George “Ed” Ashley in 1938, has a long-standing history of making quality healthcare accessible in Southeast Kansas. Services provided include e-visits, convenient care clinics, laboratory services, imaging services, immunizations, diabetes education, specialty clinics, sneak peek 3D/4D sonograms, and a pharmacy with locations in Chanute and Humboldt.
SEKMHC
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, established in 1961 as a non-profit organization, employs evidence-based practices and a whole-person approach to provide individualized treatment to clients for better overall health. They offer services and programs in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho, and Woodson. SEKMHC has offices in seven southeast Kansas communities: Iola, Chanute, Humboldt, Fort Scott, Pleasanton, Garnett, and Yates Center.
Core services include outpatient psychiatry, therapy, consultation, chemical abuse counseling, addiction counseling, case management, educational and skill-building groups, specialty training, physical healthcare coordination, and 24/7 crisis intervention services.
SEKMHC became a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in 2022. Find more information at sekmhc.org
Anita Lightcap is the new part-time West Bourbon Elementary School Principal in Uniontown.
“I started at WBE the first week of August,” she said. “I work Thursday and Friday and every other Wednesday. Mr. Tracy Smith works Monday and Tuesday and every other Wednesday.”
West Bourbon Elementary School, Uniontown, KS
She retired in July 2021 from Tahlequah Public Schools in Tahlequah, Oklahoma as the Executive Director of Elementary Education. Tahlequah is a 6A school district and home to the Cherokee Nation.
Lightcap received her bachelor’s degree from St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City and a master’s from Arkansas State University.
She taught school in Dodge City USD 443 at the high school level and the elementary level before returning to her hometown of Tahlequah to finish her career.
“I believe the best thing about a career in education is knowing that you are helping educate the leaders of tomorrow,” she said. “Few things in life compare to seeing a child’s eyes light up in that moment that they understand a concept that’s being taught.”
Another great thing is “helping students see themselves as learners and having a growth mindset, believing that they can improve through effort and persistence,” she said.
The greatest challenge in education is meeting the needs of all students with the available resources, she said.
Kevin Davidson, 50, will step into new duties officially as the Bourbon County Undersheriff on September 18.
As the next in line, under Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, Davidson’s duties are monitoring the day-to-day activities of the sheriff’s office, along with scheduling of personnel.
“Generally, keeping the train on the track,” he said.
There are currently 19 employees in the sheriff’s office.
Davidson enjoys “getting to make a difference in the community, bringing a positive attitude in law enforcement. Trying to make the community a safe place for our kids.”
He became a narcotics detective in October 2021.
He says he works with some good colleagues, and they “have been able to eliminate a lot of narcotics in the community. Recently they helped take out 10,000 fentanyl pills in Crawford County that had connections to coming back to Bourbon County.”
Davidson’s office is at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, 293 E. 20th, Fort Scott. The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office phone number is 620 223-1440.
The jail is known as the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, Fort Scott.
He graduated from Pleasanton High School, attended Highland Junior College where he played football, and attended Pittsburg State University for a period.
Davidson has been in law enforcement since June 2014 at the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, then the Fort Scott Police Department, then returned to the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office.
He has five children.
Davidson is replacing Ben Cole as the undersheriff.
Ginger Nance has been the Executive Director at the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village for 20 years.
“My last working day at the Village is scheduled for Sept 15th as I will be retiring… and shifting my focus to care for others in a new, different career way,” she said.
Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott.
The executive director’s job entailed leading and directing all operations of the site: budgeting, marketing, fundraising, staffing, resident care, dining and environmental services, policy and regulations, and “extending a helping hand to anyone in need,” she said.
“The very best thing about the job, hands down, is that it gives me the ability to make lasting, meaningful, relationships with people from all walks of life,” she said. “Getting the chance to meet new people and rekindle relationships with others whom I’ve known since childhood is wonderful!”
A challenge for Nance was the pandemic.
“As with any occupation, there are always challenges,” Nance said. “One of the biggest challenges during my career was managing all the issues surrounding the COVID pandemic in senior living. Probably my best and my worst attribute, at the same time, is that I care so much about our seniors and the families that we serve.”
During these years of COVID, the state and federal governments set many extreme restrictions to protect the resident’s lives.
“For a long period during the pandemic, senior living organizations were mandated to not allow people to enter the building for any reason,” she said. “This was heartbreaking to all! We worked as a team and included the families in trying to come up with solutions so they could still be involved and active in their loved ones’ lives.”
” For the first time in senior living, we learned to use Facetime…and sent out weekly communication updates to family members.”
“We created visiting areas with glass separations that were heated using amplified microphones for the hearing impaired. We set up the spaces so they could enjoy a meal together, a cup of hot chocolate, or whatever they desired to do during their visits.”
“I have never been more challenged, yet so very proud, of the amazing team that we have at the Presbyterian Village!” Nance said. Before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and every day since it ended, I am reminded of how fortunate Fort Scott is to have the Presbyterian Village in our community, as I watch the team at the Village care for our seniors. Their care and commitment go far beyond receiving a paycheck. I’m so very thankful that I could be part of such a great team for so many years.”
New Career
Nance feels the time is now to step out in faith in a new career to help people differently.
She has had conversations with senior citizens living in their homes, isolated, feeling helpless, because their physical condition wouldn’t allow them to get outside or even move about easily in their own homes.
“Often the senior would express… that one of the biggest barriers to the idea of making a move to downsize and either move to a smaller, more manageable home, or an assisted living was the idea that they didn’t even know where to begin,” she said.
They didn’t know how to go about downsizing their belongings and/or selling their home, which would stop them, due to fear or physical inability, she said.
“I understand their fears and their concerns and I would like to be available to help people through this process in a kind, patient, understanding way, always keeping them in the driver’s seat every step of the way,” she said.
“For this reason, I am currently offering my services as a ‘Rightsizing Specialist,’ to help seniors and other adults with these types of issues they are facing,” she said.
Services she will offer the community is downsizing, upsizing, or simply “right-sizing” to find a home that meets the current needs of their life.
“We all know that one shoe doesn’t fit all and my goal is to offer my assistance on an individualized basis for each person,” she said. “The options: live auction, estate/tag sales, private sales to individuals, charity donations, assistance with packing, boxing, and the moving process, as well as assistance with buying and selling your home, if desired.”
She is licensed in both Kansas and Missouri and recently joined the Stutesman’s Action Realty team, with offices located in Fort Scott, Nevada, and Lamar, Missouri.
“I very much want to remain active in my hometown, where my family roots are, and I want to continue to build lasting relationships with people from all walks of life,” she said. “The passion I have to help others is the fuel that continues to drive me as I work to build a new business line to offer to our community. If you know someone who could benefit from my help, please give me a call, and let’s talk (620) 224-6173.”
Bourbon County is part of the section of the state of Kansas in emergency drought status. Submitted graphic.
The City of Fort Scott staff opened the Lake Fort Scott valve four turns today to help replenish some of the water lost in Rock Creek, according to Brad Matkin, the city manager.
The city gets its water supply from the Marmaton River, as do many outlying areas. The 50-acre Rock Creek Lake is an integral part of the city and rural water reserve systems.
“The Marmaton River is down to 8.3′ and we need it to be 9.5′-10′,” he said. “We will monitor this for the next several days. Still in Water Warning stage #1. There is a video on the City of Fort Scott’s Facebook page.”
Bourbon County was declared by Governor Kelly that it is in a drought emergency in mid-August.
This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.
This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
Wyatt and Krysta Hulbert. Submitted photo.
Hulbert’s Jewelry, LLC,(doing business as Bartelsmeyer Jewelry) owners, Wyatt and Krysta Hulbert became owners of the local jewelry story in historic downtown Fort Scott on July 5, 2023.
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is located at 22 N. Main, Fort Scott.
Krysta noted however, that the jewelry store has been a part of Fort Scott’s history since 1904.
“Wyatt and I are thrilled and honored to be able to continue the tradition of this long-standing business in downtown Fort Scott, Kansas,” she said. “We are dedicated to upholding the same commitment to quality customer service, and craftsmanship, to ensure that the store will endure through another generation. We hope to have the support of the whole community as we step into a new and exciting future!”
Wyatt and Krysta Hulbert with some congratulation cookies received after taking over ownership of the jewelry store. Submitted photo.
“At Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, I have been the familiar face that greets you at the door for the last 13 years working for John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer,” Krysta said. “I truly enjoy my job and have had the amazing opportunity to develop many wonderful relationships with the people in my community because of working at Bartelsmeyer Jewelry. As John and Cindy started to consider retirement, I began discussing the possibility of buying the jewelry store with my husband Wyatt.”
It took about a year to finalize the sale to the Hulberts.
“At Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, you will find a curated collection of new gold and silver jewelry, from delicate necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to bold statement pieces and permanent jewelry,” she said. “We carry a wide array of estate jewelry, and our designs encompass a range of styles to suit every taste. We also have a sparkling selection of engagement rings and diamond jewelry, as well as a Custom Design Program that can make your unique vision into a tangible, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.”
Submitted photo.
They also provide maintenance of jewelry.
“The store’s jewelry repair service encompasses everything from minor fixes to intricate restorations.” she said. “We offer ring repair, sizing, and soldering; stone setting and tightening; prong re-tipping; watch repair and battery replacement, jewelry appraisal services, and customized engraving.”
They also buy and sell gold and silver jewelry, coins, and bullion.
“We were so excited to be selected as one of the grant recipients!” she said. “We will be using the grant money for some much-needed tool and equipment updates, including a specialized diamond tester that will help us distinguish lab-grown diamonds from naturally mined diamonds. This will allow us to offer peace of mind to our customers as we dive into a new era in the diamond market.”
The jewelry store address is 22 North Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Ist Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment mural. August,2023.
The local historic depiction of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment is completed.
The mural faces the Fort Scott National Historic Site, the place of the mustering of the regiment during the American Civil War.
St. Louis artist Cbabi Bayoc worked on the mural for a week in August with temperatures over 100 degrees.
The new mural was created by Cbabi Bayoc, pictured here in a submitted photo.
“The project took six days to complete,” Bayoc said in an interview. “I started spray painting the sketch on Monday and made final touches on it Saturday afternoon. The only long day was Wednesday which was crucial in getting it done on schedule.”
He worked from afternoon to evening because of the location of the mural on the north side of the building. That week of August 2023 the community experienced over 100 degrees daily.
“The heat was a definite factor,” Bayoc said. “It cut my days shorter than I am used to spending on murals of this scale. Also the rail and the steps made for some interesting body maneuvering to get the soldier on the left and the banner bottom middle done.”
Bayoc describes his work and its meaning.
“I chose the soldier with the flag because black folks always hoped going to battle for the country would gain their rights and respect as citizens,” he said. “The ad (To Arms! To Arms!) was crucial because putting guns in the hands of black soldiers was crucial to the (Civil War/slavery) times and foreshadowed their being the first regiment to see battle. I like the line created by the rifle and what it adds to the design. Their name and regiment number flank the left side and of course, elements from the battalion flag provide the backdrop.”
Fort Scott left a good impression on the artist from St. Louis.
“The folks we interacted with were warm and inviting,” he said. “My wife and I thought the downtown was gorgeous. We look forward to returning in October.”
The revealing and acknowledging of the mural will be during the annual Gordon Parks Museum Celebration the first weekend in October.
The public is invited to join the “Free To Serve” mural unveiling on Friday, October 6 from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
This is in honor and tribute to the regiment’s sacrifice and willingness to serve during the Civil War.
The mural is located at the north downtown building at 9 South Main St, near Skubitz Plaza, facing the Fort.
“We will veil the mural before out-of-town guests arrive for the Gordon Parks celebration for a more grand reveal, but until then the mural is available to be photographed,” Rachel French, coordinator of the project for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division said.
The Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Rural Prosperity awarded funding for the project, along with several local benefactors.
