The Gunn Park Trails Bike Repair Station is located near the entrance of the park. It was completed last Sunday, Sept. 6. Submitted photos.
A public bike repair station is available at Gunn Park, located on Fort Scott’s west side, off of Park Street.
The bike repair station is located in the parking lot adjacent to the Gunn Park entrance. This is where most of the Gunn Park Trail riders park, and is available to the public, according to Frank Halsey the organizer of the Marmaton Massacre Bike Race event that funded the station.
“It provides a public location, and tools necessary for basic emergency bike repairs such as tire repairs with an air pump. Retractable tools are also available for the tightening of loose parts,” Halsey said. “It is constructed so the bike can be elevated while being repaired.”
“This new Fort Scott asset was made available from the proceeds of the hugely successful Marmaton Massacre Mountain Bike Race hosted by Gunn Park Trails on July 11th and 12th,” he said. “Credit goes to the race volunteers, sponsors, and of course the participants.”
Volunteers completed the installation of the bike repair station on Sunday, Sept. 6. The City of Fort Scott poured the concrete pad for the station.
“Fort Scott is fortunate to have Gunn Park Trails providing fun exercise and attracting visitors to our community,” Halsey said. “This new feature simply adds more value to this important asset.”
The Bowlus Fine Arts Center announced today, that they will be the first stop in Kansas
for the “Smithsonian Crossroads: Change in Rural America Exhibit.” The “Crossroads” Kansas tour is
sponsored by Humanities Kansas in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street
program.
The Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit will be housed in the Large Rehearsal Hall from August 29-October 10, 2020. Admission is free.
“Crossroads: Change in Rural America,” offers small towns a chance to look at their own paths to highlight the
changes that affected their fortunes over the past century. The exhibition will prompt discussions about what
happened when America’s rural population became a minority of the country’s population and the ripple effects
that occurred.
The exhibit covers themes such as: Identity, Land, Community, Persistence and Managing
Change with photographs, hands-on activities, and audio and video clips provided by the Smithsonian in the
“Crossroads” exhibition to tell the history and culture of local rural life in Kansas and spark conversations about
our state’s future.
“Through a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street program, Humanities Kansas
is able to bring the resources of the nation’s premier cultural institution to Kansas,” said Julie Mulvihill, executive
director of Humanities Kansas. “The six communities were selected because of the inspired plans provided by
local organizations to use the national exhibition as a springboard to explore local stories of innovation and
adaptation.”
As a requirement for selection, a local companion exhibit was to be established. “Allen County: From Trails
to Rails to Highway and Back,” will take you on a journey with a fictitious family who found their way into the
South East Kansas territory in 1856. The historical fiction is told by way of the diary writings of Jerimiah Wilson
and his subsequent children in the later years. Working with the local newspaper and the writings of local
historian, Larry Manes, this diary will be printed in the format of a special newspaper section in the proceeding weeks of the exhibit opening, along with extra prints to be available at the exhibition. The exhibition layout will bein the chronological order of the diary. Certain passages highlighted in the printing will be displayed on the walls with surrounding supportive photographs, articles, and artifacts. The diary writings take patrons through the
many crossroads experienced throughout Allen County’s history and will invite the viewing patron to imagine
what will be the next chapter for the Wilson family as the next generations come to their crossroads.
The Allen County Historical Society (ACHS) and the Bowlus Fine Arts Center submitted a joint proposal in
April 2019 to Humanities Kansas to be considered for selection as one of six Kansas communities to host
the nation-wide exhibit. With 32 communities from across Kansas submitting proposals, our proposal was
selected, as were five other Kansas communities: Alma; Independence; Greensburg; North Newton; and
Norton.
In addition to the six sites hosting the Smithsonian, ten communities will create their own exhibitions and
programming to explore what it means to live rural in the 21 st century, the relationship between rural, suburban,
and urban, and the progress and persistence needed by communities of all sizes to thrive. Participating
communities include Colby, Council Grove, Dodge City, El Dorado, Ellinwood, Hays, Lebanon, Olathe, Onaga,
and Satanta.
Humanities Kansas sponsors the “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” initiative in partnership with the
Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street program, a one-of-a-kind cultural project that serves small
towns and residents of rural communities. To learn more about the “Crossroads” statewide tour visit
humanitieskansas.org.
For more information about “Crossroads” at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center visit www.bowluscenter.org or call
620.365.4765.
ABOUT HUMANITIES KANSAS
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of
Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants,
and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights.
The Uniontown High School Class of 1959 wait to board their float for the Old Settlers Picnic Parade on Labor Day, 2019.
Despite many months of planning, the Old Settler’s Picnic event is a no-go.
Late last month the planning committee met to discuss the plans for the annual event that has happened every year since 1905.
Uniontown, with a population of 300 people in western Bourbon County, usually sees a large crowd visit the event each year.
Traditionally, it is a weekend of rodeos, a fishing derby, a community church service, a baby contest, craft and food vendors, parades, family picnics, and games in the town park.
“We decided we couldn’t go ahead with our plans because of Gov. Kelly’s COVID-19 restrictions,” said Becky Shinn, secretary/treasurer of the planning committee said.
“The committee was unsure what we could and couldn’t do,” she said. “If she declared only 45 people could be in an area, we couldn’t do it.”
Many of the key people were not comfortable coming to the event which is normally held on Labor Day weekend, the first weekend in September, Shinn said.
The grand marshalls of the parade, the car show organizer and in addition, the Uniontown High School student organizations would not be there.
Uniontown High School Cheerleaders board their float for the Old Settlers Picnic Parade in 2019.
“The FFA students were not going to be able to do their BBQ dinner, the band wasn’t going to be able to be 6 feet apart in marching, and the Methodist Church wasn’t sure they were going to (supply their chicken dinners),” Shinn said.
“Only one or two food trucks were coming,” she said.
The final decision was because of the lack of these key components for the weekend activities.
The committee is comprised of Shayla and Kyle Knight, Hope Workman, Tammy Davidson, Rhonda DeWitt, Nancy Holt and Shinn.
Rodeo Events Still On
There are still rodeo events this weekend at the Uniontown Rodeo Stadium, west of town on Hwy. 3.
A team roping event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4; a co-ed ranch rodeo at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, and the 53rd Annual Old Settlers Youth Rodeo which starts at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Applications accepted through August 31st for the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant cycle for 2020!
This year, FSACF will be awarding over $42,000.00 to local not-for-profits for projects to benefit our community. A certain dollar amount of the awards is reserved for projects that benefit our youth. Maximum grant to any one project is $5,000.00.
Applications can be obtained by sending an email: [email protected].
Please use the same email address to submit any questions you might have. Completed applications must be received by 5:00 pm, August 31st.
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
8/21 & 8/22 –SMALLVILLE ATHLETICS – FORT GAMES 2020! Competition starts Friday, 8/22 at 5 pm & all Day Saturday 8/23 – Annual Fitness Competition includes:2 Day M/M F/F Partner Competition Divisions Include: Rx, Intermediate, Master’s 35+ & Scaled – Be held at 1905 S. Judson St.
9/5 – BOURBON COUNTY TOUR – 8:30am-12pm, Ghost Towns & Early Legends of Northern Bourbon County, carpool tour leaving from the Old Fort Genealogical Library, register today here. Limited to 40 participants.
9/5 -SPECIAL OLYMPICS CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT! Sat. starting at 1:30 pm until 5 pm at the Woodland Golf Course to Sign up!
4D Rafter H: Travis and Kellie Duncan, Justin, and Megan Hahner from last year’s Old Settlers Picnic Ranch Rodeo.Submitted photos by Julia Hall.
Even though there will be no traditional Uniontown Old Settlers Picnic activities in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be rodeo events at the arena west of Uniontown.
“This virus has things shut down,” Wayne Hall, contact for the rodeos, said. “The rodeos are an outside event. We have hand sanitizer in the bathroom. We encourage people to not get too close. We find families stay together.”
Team Roping
On Friday, September 4, there will be a team roping contest at the Uniontown arena.
“It’s open to anybody that wants too,” Levi Motley, contact for the team roping said. “They’ll enter with people when they get here, find a partner and enter up,” although he added, “This isn’t a spectator sport.”
Teams compete for a jackpot prize, he said.
“Team roping begins at 7 p.m. and lasts about two hours,” Motley said.
Contact Motley at 620-768-9166.
Ranch Rodeo
Top Woman at the 2019 Old Settlers Ranch Rodeo was Shanna Eck. Submitted photo.
The 34th Annual Co-Ed Ranch Rodeo will happen on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
There are four people on a team.
“Two people on the team have to be a woman or kids,” Hall said. “The crowds enjoy it.”
“Last year we had eight teams,” Hall said. “Local teams mostly. But I’ve had calls from up around Topeka (this year).”
Each team pays $200 to compete.
“There is a 100 percent payback other than a stock charge,” Hall said. “The person who provides livestock for the events gets paid a fee.”
Contact Hall at 620-363-4206 for both rodeos.
Olson Ranch: Wally and Jennifer Olson, Travis and Kellie Duncan. Submitted photos from last year’s Old Settlers Picnic Ranch Rodeo.Top man at the 2019 Old Settlers Ranch Rodeo was Kolby Stock. Submitted photo.2019 Top Youth at the Old Settlers Ranch Rodeo was Kara Stock. Submitted photos.
Old Settlers Youth Rodeo
The 54th Annual Old Settlers Youth Rodeo begins on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. with the registration of events at 5:30 p.m. It is also located in the arena west of Uniontown on Hwy. 3.
Youth who are high school senior age and younger can register to do barrel racing, pole bending, steer riding, ewe busting, a “little kids stick horse race”, calf roping, team roping, goat tying, and a flag race, Hall said.
The 2019 Stick Horse Race winners at the Old Settlers Youth Rodeo. Submitted photos.
Costs to enter each contest is from $4 to $10 per person, per event.
Applications accepted through August 31st for the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant cycle for 2020!
This year, FSACF will be awarding over $42,000.00 to local not-for-profits for projects to benefit our community. A certain dollar amount of the awards is reserved for projects that benefit our youth. Maximum grant to any one project is $5,000.00.
8/15 – The Lavender Patch Farm – Even though our summer season has ended, The Lavender Patch will be open one day or two days per month. In August it’ll be on the 15th & 29th from 9:00-1:00. Remember, we are always open by appointment! Our second bloom is starting so there is some lavender to pick if you’d like!
8/22 –SMALLVILLE ATHLETICS – FORT GAMES 2020! Competition starts Friday, 8/22 at 5 pm & all Day Saturday 8/23 – Annual Fitness Competition includes:2 Day M/M F/F Partner Competition Divisions Include: Rx, Intermediate, Master’s 35+ & Scaled – Be held at 1905 S. Judson St.
9/5 – BOURBON COUNTY TOUR – 8:30am-12pm, Ghost Towns & Early Legends of Northern Bourbon County, carpool tour leaving from the Old Fort Genealogical Library, register today here. Limited to 40 participants.
9/5 -SPECIAL OLYMPICS CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT! Sat. starting at 1:30 pm until 5 pm at the Woodland Golf Course to Sign up!
8/7thru8/9 –NO SALES TAX HOLIDAY WEEKEND! Select retailers have volunteered to pay for for 9.4% Sales Tax for Shoppers!
8/7 & 8/8 – Liquidation Sale at Captured Images-FIRST liquidation sale at Captured Images. We are offering display prints, books, frames, albums and more! We are also selling negative files and digital files from finished sessions. Stop by from 9-6 Friday and/or 9-12 Saturday and take a look!
8/7 -Pickup Softball Game @ Ellis Park at 6 pm to 9 pm. Public invited to participate & attend. Planned by Locals. Fort Scott Rec. Dept will work the field and will start a fall League if there is interest. Dustin Fowler
8/7thru8/13 –Fort Scott Cinema: Field of Dreams, 2 Fast 2 Furious & Happy Gilmore!
8/8 -Briggs Drive-In Movie Night! – Showing Ford Vs Ferrari at 8:30 pm. Free Snacks will be served. Turn in on Radio station for Audio. Stay in your own car!
Hosted by Creative Canvas $25 – This is already “SOLD OUT”
SAVE THE DATE!
8/22 -SPECIAL OLYMPICS CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT! Sat. starting at 1:30 pm until 5 pm at the Woodland Golf Course to Sign up!
8/22 –SMALLVILLE ATHLETICS – FORT GAMES 2020! Competition starts Friday, 8/22 at 5 pm & all Day Saturday 8/23 – Annual Fitness Competition includes:2 Day M/M F/F Partner Competition Divisions Include: Rx, Intermediate, Master’s 35+ & Scaled – Be held at 1905 S. Judson St.
The Old Fort Genealogical Society, along with help from the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County and the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce are presenting a social distancing history event for Bourbon County residents, on August 1.
It is a guided carpool tour around the county with local history lovers leading and speaking at designated spots. It is the first of many by the group of local history enthusiasts.
The title of the inaugural car tour is Ghost Towns and Early Legends of Northern Bourbon County.
Stops will be the Barnesville Cemetery, Fort Lincoln and Freedom Colony, Wagon Road Bridge, Guthrie’s Mound, U.S. National Cemetery No. 1, and Eugene Ware Elementary School.
The tour will begin at 8:50 a.m. at Old Fort Genealogical Society located in Memorial Hall, Third Street and National Avenue, and end at approximately 11:50 a.m. at the National Cemetery.
Park vehicles on National Avenue in front of the Bourbon County Courthouse or across the street in front of Memorial Hall. The Old Fort Genealogical Library is located in the basement of Memorial Hall on East National Avenue.
National Cemetery, Fort Scott.
The event costs $5 and registration is at fortscott.com. There is a limit of 45 participants.
“Pete Allen comes to visit the Old Fort Genealogical Library and we talked,” Ann Rawlings, the librarian said. “He said I should contact Fred Campbell…..The next thing I know we had a meeting to set up a tour again.”
Historial Preservation of Bourbon County did bus tours years ago, she said.
“Bourbon County is fortunate to have local men and women presenters whose love of history and the preservation of that history for future generations drives them to work endless hours to fulfill their mission of historic preservation,” Pete Allen said. “Fred Campbell and Don Miller started the tour years ago. They are being joined now by Reed Hartford, Brian Allen and Ralph Carlson. Ann Rawlins, whose enthusiasm sparked the revival and Lindsay Madison has offered invaluable help in getting the tour organized.”
The following is from an email interview with Ann Rawlings:
What is the plan for future tours?
“The tours will change each month covering the whole of Bourbon County,” Rawlings said. “There are many places to show and tell the stories all over the county and this is the way to get first-hand information from well-seasoned historians.”
“Some of the areas we plan on visiting are Bronson and the aluminum statue; Hell’s Bend Railroad, engine and cemetery; Garland and the coal mines on the Old Hwy; Cato, the town that moved; the west side of Bourbon County where ‘Africa Colony’ once thrived; cemeteries – those that are active and those forgotten; travel the path of the Military Highway, and more to be defined,” she said.
Who is invited to attend?
“Anyone who has an interest in history. Most sites will be handicapped accessible as long as they can get in and out of vehicles,” Rawlings said.
Why a car tour offering?
“The plans in the future will be bus tours, but due to the six-foot distancing of the COVID guidelines, we felt the attendees would be willing to go via carpool,” she said. ” Families can still attend and not be concerned about contamination.”
“We will require all to have a mask when out of their vehicles, observe the six-foot distancing protocol and make sure all are healthy before coming on the tour.”
What is the history of the genealogical society?
“Old Fort Genealogical Society (OFGS) started in 1984 and has expanded over the years until it is a large Library packed with original documents, newspaper microfilm, hundreds of researched history notebooks and self-published works, old and new printed works, several filing cabinets full of family histories and topic histories as well as computer access to newspapers.com and ancestry.com and many other sites,” she said.
“We have researchers working on several projects at this time. Some are working on genealogy, others on local history. We have so many projects we need help. Anyone who would be willing to research at the Library or at home is welcome to contact us”
“The purpose of the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County, Inc. is to preserve historic sites.
“We promote public interest in matters of historical importance to Bourbon County and each year, we match several $500 City of fort Scott grants to downtown Fort Scott business owners for the purpose of restoring their historic building facades. In addition, we sponsor and sometimes co-sponsor history-related events and invite an entertaining and information speaker to each of our annual meetings.”
“We can be found on facebook by typing in HPABC or online at hpaofbourboncounty.weebly.com.”
Give a brief history of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
“The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization serving Fort Scott and Bourbon County with a focus on being a support to our members including businesses, agri-businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals who belong to and support the work of the Chamber and are engaged in the community.”
“The Chamber strives to be a valuable resource in many ways including referrals of members, supplying relocation packets, housing options, event information and promotion of job opportunities.”
“We can be contacted via our website fortscott.com, call 620-223-3566 or come by and visit at 231 E Wall St just west of the Hwy 69/Hwy 54 interchange.”
7/16 – Seniors 60+ Farmers’ Market Voucher Signup Program, 1-4pm, Bourbon County Senior Citizen Center, Downtown, Income Requirements, click here for details.
