Category Archives: Fort Scott

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site

AUTHENTIC REPRODUCTION SABER DRAWING TO BENEFIT FORT SCOTT NHS

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 If you are from Southeast Kansas, chances are you have visited Fort Scott National Historic Site and learned about the elite fighting force, known as the Dragoons.  One of the essential tools in the Dragoon’s arsenal was the saber. Measuring 39 inches long and weighing nearly 2 pounds, Dragoons were trained to use them to fight on foot as well as on horseback.

You may become the proud owner of one of these impressive historic weapons, as the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site are offering chances to win an authentic reproduction of a 1833 Dragoon saber. Tickets are $10 each or $25 for 3 tickets.  Funds raised will be used to benefit programs and operations at Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Chances will be sold throughout the summer at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce during their operating hours or from any Friends of FSNHS board member.  The drawing will take place on September 8, 2025, at the Friends of FSNHS annual meeting. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of history!

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site is a non-profit organization established in partnership with the National Park Service to support and promote the preservation and interpretation of FSNHS.

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Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott Awarded $1.5 Million for Hwy. 54 Improvements

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Governor Kelly Announces $25M for
Road Improvement Projects Across Kansas


TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced Tuesday $25 million for 30 projects to improve intersections and roads across the state. The projects were selected for funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP).

“Enhancing the safety and accessibility of our local highways is made possible by grants through this essential program,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “In turn, these roadway improvements help bring in resources and improve connectivity in various regions of the state.”

CCLIP provides funds for cities to make improvements on city connecting links that are on state highways. Selected projects are funded for the state fiscal years 2027 and 2028 selection cycle.

Under CCLIP, cities with populations above 2,500 have local minimum contribution requirements, and cities with populations over 100,000 are required to have a 25% match. Local contributions significantly expanded the scope and total impact of the selected projects, bringing their combined value to over $39 million.

“The essence of the City Connecting Links program lies in the shared commitment between KDOT and our communities,” said Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed. “It’s through this vital partnership that we can address both state and local transportation needs, fostering economic growth and connectivity across Kansas.”

Projects in this program may fall into one of three categories: Surface Preservation (SP), Pavement Restoration (PR), or Geometric Improvement (GI).

SP projects extend the life of the driving surface, such as overlays or joint repair, and are funded up to $400,000 per project. PR projects typically involve extensive pavement rehabilitation or full-depth pavement. GI projects focus on roadway geometrics that address safety, capacity, or operational needs, such as adding turn lanes or improving intersections. The PR and GI categories are funded up to $1.5 million per project.

The city, category, and amount awarded for each CCLIP project are below:

Region

City

Highway

Total Cost

CCLIP funds

Northeast

Emporia

U.S. 50

$890,000

$400,000

Northeast

Lawrence

U.S. 59

$1,600,000

$400,000

Northeast

Leavenworth

K-7

$1,350,000

$400,000

Northeast

Manhattan

K-18

$480,000

$400,000

Northeast

Osage City

K-31

$500,000

$400,000

North Central

Jewell

K-28

$1,300,000

$1,300,000

North Central

Lindsborg

K-4

$465,000

$400,000

North Central

Lindsborg

K-4

$465,000

$400,000

North Central

Marion

K-256

$1,500,000

$1,500,000

North Central

McPherson

U.S. 56

$3,300,000

$1,500,000

North Central

McPherson

U.S. 56

$3,300,000

$1,500,000

Northwest

Colby

K-25

$840,000

$400,000

Northwest

Downs

K-181

$1,500,000

$1,500,000

Northwest

Phillipsburg

U.S. 36

$430,000

$400,000

Northwest

Phillipsburg

U.S. 183

$430,000

$400,000

Southeast

Ft. Scott

U.S. 54

$2,152,000

$1,500,000

Southeast

Girard

K-7

$570,000

$400,000

Southeast

Madison

K-58

$1,500,000

$1,500,000

Southeast

Pittsburg

K-126

$1,500,000

$1,500,000

South Central

Augusta

U.S. 54

$1,334,000

$400,000

South Central

El Dorado

K-254

$1,170,000

$400,000

South Central

Kingman

U.S. 54

$1,590,000

$1,500,000

South Central

Larned

U.S. 156

$435,000

$400,000

South Central

Lyons

K-14

$744,000

$400,000

South Central

Newton

K-15

$1,100,000

$400,000

South Central

Pratt

U.S. 281

$450,000

$400,000

South Central

Winfield

U.S. 160

$720,000

$400,000

Southwest

Dodge City

U.S. 50

$4,500,000

$1,500,000

Southwest

Garden City

U.S. 50B

$1,765,000

$1,500,000

Southwest

Meade

K-23

$1,500,000

$1,500,000

Totals

$39,380,000

$25,000,000

Region

Number of Projects

CCLIP funds

Northeast

5

$2,000,000

North Central

6

$6,600,000

Northwest

4

$2,700,000

Southeast

4

$4,900,000

South Central

8

$4,300,000

Southwest

3

$4,500,000

TOTAL

30

$25,000,000


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Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Wayman Chapel AME Church Commemorative Park to Receive Display Signs Installation

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The Gordon Parks Museum is pleased to announce the installation of
informational display signs and a welcome sign at the Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME)
Church Commemorative Park, located at 301 S. Lowman Street in Fort Scott.

Installation is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

“They are hoping to arrive mid-morning around 10:30 am or so,” said the museum director, Kirk Sharp. “The sign vendor is Lark Label, in Wichita, KS.”

.
AME Church
Gordon Parks, 1950.
Photo Courtesy of and Copyright by The Gordon Parks Foundation. Submitted photo.

This historic site, once home to the oldest Black church in Fort Scott. The property land of the Wayman Chapel
AME Church, was donated to the Gordon Parks Museum by Fort Scott resident Josh Jones, through the Fort
Scott Community College Foundation. The church was regularly attended by Gordon Parks and his family and
was even featured in a scene from Parks’ acclaimed film, The Learning Tree.

The property has since been transformed into a commemorative, low-maintenance park honoring the legacy of
the church.

 

Wayman Chapel AME Church Commemorative Park, 301 S. Lowman, Fort Scott, KS. Photo taken by 2025 Choice of Weapon Honoree, Michael Cheers

 

The new display signage includes four large storyboard panels (76” x 27”) featuring photos,
graphics, and text that highlight the church’s rich history and its vital role in the local Black community. These
panels will be installed on a concrete slab beneath an already completed pergola structure (12’ x 20’). In
addition, a large 4’ x 3’ welcome sign will greet visitors at the park entrance.

“We are very excited about this park, which pays tribute to the historic Wayman Chapel AME Church,
established in 1866 by the grandparents of Professor E. J. Hawkins,” said Gordon Parks Museum Executive
Director Kirk Sharp. “We are incredibly grateful to all of the sponsors who helped make this commemorative
park a reality, especially Josh Jones and the Foundation. This Park ensures that this important chapter of Fort
Scott’s history continues to be honored and shared. It also sits along our Learning Tree Film Sign Trail, adding
even more depth to its significance

“The commemorative project has been made possible with generous support from: Bourbon County Historical
Association, City of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, Fort Scott Community College
Foundation, The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT), Josh
Jones, Rick Mayhew, My One Stop, Marbery Concrete, Inc., and Kansas Tourism.

Wayman Chapel AME Church, originally established in 1866, moved to its final location at the corner of Third
and Lowman in 1885. For more than 115 years, it served as a spiritual and cultural hub for Fort Scott’s Black
community. Due to declining membership and unsafe building conditions, the church was eventually
condemned and razed in the early 2000s.

Today, its legacy lives on. A stained-glass window and two original
pews from the church are on permanent exhibit at the Gordon Parks Museum.
The AME church was Fort Scott’s first and oldest black church with Shiloh Baptist being the second.
.

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Bourbon County, Fort Scott, History

Volunteers Needed To Get The Old Fort Genealogy Society Reopened

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The Professional Building, located at 2801 S. Horton, is situated across from the former Mercy Hospital, which is now home to several entities.

 

For those interested in learning more about their family history in Bourbon County, the Old Fort Genealogy Society is a valuable resource to the community.

“Many people don’t know what we have to offer,” said Susan Karleskint, president of the society. ” We have tons of Bourbon County history….birth records, death records, cemeteries, pictures.”

“We provide help to people who are researching their families in Bourbon County,” she said. “In addition, we have moved beyond genealogical to historical.”

The society is non-profit.

“We don’t charge, but do ask for a donation, should they want to give one,” she said.

In early 2025, the society’s board began searching for an alternative location. The location they were at, in the basement of Memorial Hall, was too small for all the records they housed, and the cost of renovating to a different part of that building was too high.

They found a much larger site for their services at 2801 S. Horton, in the Professional Building,  north of the old Mercy Hospital.

In the spring, they began the move to that building, which has been vacant for several years.

“We have encountered some ‘hiccups’ along the way that have slowed our progress,” Karleskint said.

“The space is futuristic,” she said. “We can grow. We had a lot of things that couldn’t be put out (in the prior building), but now can be.”

The space is almost 4,000 square feet.

Now the board members are seeking volunteers to help them get open to the public.

“Volunteers are needed to unpack items….to go to the bookshelves,” she said.  “Currently, there are three to four of us. We need helpers in order to get us open.”

“When our doors open, we will have a need for volunteers who would be willing to help at least 1/2 day per week.”

Contact them at 602.223.3300. “If that number is not currently answered, an individual may call my phone at 620-224-6613,” Karleskint said.

The board consists of Karleskint, Ralph Carlson, Peggy Cummings, Shirley Hurd, Jim Logan, Terry Sercer, and Don Tucker.

Karleskint said she wanted to thank this board for all of the time and energy they have contributed in the past few
months.

 

 

Fort Scott, Government

FS Water Distribution Chlorine Burnout Starts July 28

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]
The City of Fort Scott Water Utility will be initiating a free chlorine burnout of the water distribution system starting Monday, July 28, 2025, and ending as soon as a free chlorine residual is established
throughout the entire system, approximately 2 (two) weeks.

This burnout is necessary maintenance of the water distribution system, which will help maintain State standards for disinfection residual levels and maintain the high quality of water that you have come to expect.

Occasionally, during this process, customers may temporarily experience low pressures, taste or odors, discolored water, or even some sediment in their water.

We do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Any questions, concerns, or comments are welcome.

Please contact the Water Treatment Plant at 223-5160 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Monday
through Friday.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Youth

Parent Empowerment Circle Sunday, July 27, 2025

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Would anyone like to volunteer to bring snacks for this meeting?   
**You may want to bring your own snacks if your kids will want some.** Thanks!
 
 
Parent Empowerment Circle
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Agenda
1:30 PM – Sign the attendance sheet and get name tag
1:30-1:45 PM – Meet and Greet Time with other attendees
1:45 PM – Round table introductions:  Please briefly introduce yourself, why you are attending today and what you hope to gain from coming to this meeting.  Please share a recent “WIN” that you are positive about.
2:00 PM – July Meeting: “Dealing with Discouragement”, guest speaker – Candy Turner
3:00 PM to 3:15 PM –
August Meeting: meet up at splash pad for a fun day, bring your own snacks, water to drink and lawn chairs.  Invite friends!
September Meeting: “IEP’s and 504’s”, guest speaker – Tonya Barnes
October meeting:  TBA
Other questions, comments, suggestions
3:15 PM – Dismiss meeting but you are welcome to chat with other attendees
3:15 PM to 3:30 PM – Clean up space and leave building
Next meeting:  August 24, 2025, 1:30-3:30 PM at the Splash Pad, The Gathering Pavilion, North National, Fort Scott.
Cherri Walrod
Community Health Worker
K-State Research and Extension Southwind District
620-223-3720, ext. 503
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

Micheal Olkowski, Fort Scott, Arrested For Sex Offenses on July 23

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Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin confirmed that Michael Olkowski of Fort Scott is still in the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center as of 10 a.m. today.

Olkowski was arrested for sexual exploitation of a child on July 23 at 920 West Park Avenue, Fort Scott, and is being held without bail.

The following was taken from the Kansas Missing and Exploited Facebook page

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott July 25 Edition

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! July 25th Weekly Newsletter

SAVE THE DATE!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffees

Every Thursday at 8am

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Visit your National Park! Visitor Center and historic buildings are open Friday through Tuesday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The grounds continue to be open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset

** Guided tours Saturday & Sunday 10am & 1pm! **

Click HERE to visit the website.

Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes for ALL ages!

Fort Scott Farmers Market

Saturdays | 8am-noon & Tuesdays | 4-6pm

Gathering Square Pavilion, 111 N. National

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall. (Taking the month of August off for BINGO & will start again in September)

KANSASWORKS in Fort Scott

Every Tuesday 9am-4pm

Office located at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, 104 N. National Ave.

620-231-4250

FS Public Library

*Wednesday Writers every Wed. @ 1:30-3pm

*Summer Reading June 3rd – July 29th!

201 S. National Ave.

Kansas Small Business Development Center

at the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St.

Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 9am-4pm.

Dolly Trolley Historic 50-min narrated tours!

Adults $6 | Children 12&under $4

Call 620-223-3566 or stop in the Chamber at

231 E. Wall St. to book your ride!

Fort Scott Aquatic Center

Opens Memorial Day, May 26th

Monday – Saturday

Public Swim: 1-5:15pm

Adult/Family Swim :5:30-7pm

*Lifeguard Breaks: 3pm & 5:15pm

Sunday

Public Swim: 1-6pm

Adult/Family Swim: 4:45-6pm

*Lifeguard Breaks: 3 & 4:30pm

$3 Tuesdays at Fort Cinema!

Follow their Facebook Page HERE for updates!

UPCOMING EVENTS

7/24-26 ~ 9:45am-1pm | Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church

“The Romans Road” God’s Path to Life with HIM!

Saturday School Supply Giveaway!

123 Scott Ave.

Click HERE for First Baptist FS Facebook Page!

7/25 ~ 9am | 31st Annual Chamber Golf Classic

Woodland Hills Golf Course

7/25 ~ 1-4pm | Aging Forward

First United Methodist Church in Fellowship Hall

Join us for our next “Adventures in Learning!” session for retired adults. This session will feature Trent Freeman from The Artificers!

Canceled – will be rescheduled at a later date

7/25 ~ | Homemade Hot Sundae Cooking Class with Miss Rachel for Ages

at The Kitchen C+C

Click HERE to register!

Noon-1pm Little Chefs

1-2:30pm Junior Chefs

7/26 ~ Kansas Rocks – Newbie Women Wheelers Basic Skills Course

2051 130th St., Mapleton, KS

7/26 ~ 9am-12pm | Summer Arts & Crafts Class: Bullfrogs & Crawdad Replica Mounts brought to you by Tanners Wildlife Artistry, LLC

306 E. 23rd St., Fort Scott, KS

$55/child (limited to 6 participants)

Perfect for ages 6-12

Register 620-238-1382

7/26 ~ 10am-2pm | FSCC Cosmetology Car Wash Fundraiser

FSCC Cosmo Building

7/26 ~ 5pm | 2nd Annual Backpack Giveaway hosted by First Presbyterian Church

Zimmerman Hall – 308 S. Crawford St.

Enjoy food and drinks & Movie night! Shrek 2

7/26 ~ 7-10pm | Morgan Rohr LIVE at Sharky’s Fort Scott!

7/26 ~ 6-8pm | Member Appreciation Dinner at The Elks

Members & their guests

7/27 ~ 1:30-3:30pm | Parent Empowerment Circle: Dealing with Discouragement

Find hope, help, tools, resources, and support close to home

First Baptist Church, 1818 S. Main St.

7/29 ~ 11:45am-1pm | HR Roundtable hosted by the Chamber

Speaker Erin Sholz of Labconco Corporate will discuss recruiting followed by an open discussion on retention

Labconco, 2500 Liberty Bell Rd.

Click HERE to Register & order lunch for $10. You may also bring your own lunch!

7/30 ~ | Par-Tee Girls – Women’s Golf League

End of Season Tournament, Banquet, & Awards

Woodland Hills Golf Course

7/31 ~ 8am | Chamber Coffee hosted by

Twister Trailer

400 N National Ave.

8/1 ~ 4-7pm | Nevada Pizza Hut popping up in Fort Scott G&W Parking Lot, 911 E. 6th St.

$11 Large 1 topping pizzas *Cheese *Pepperoni *Pork *Beef

$15 Special Requests

 Click HERE to order your special request pizza.

*Special orders should be planned to be picked up at 4PM on the Day of the event so we can guarantee it is High Quality we strive to provide. ( If a number can’t be reached, the order will be canceled before the event day)

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Human Resource Roundtable Hosted by the Chamber on July 29 at Labconco

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You’re invited!

HR Roundtable

hosted by the Chamber

 

Tuesday, July 29th

11:45am – 1pm

Labconco

2500 Liberty Bell Rd.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members to a Human Resources (HR) Roundtable Luncheon on Tuesday, July 29th from 11:45am to 1pm at Labconco, 2500 Liberty Bell Rd. This roundtable event will provide an opportunity to discuss current and relevant topics impacting the workplace.

The July 29th meeting will feature guest speaker Erin Sholz from Labconco’s corporate office, presenting on the topic of recruiting. The meeting will also include open discussion on employee retention.

HR Roundtables are open to any Chamber member involved in human resources-related responsibilities, regardless of company size, and are not limited to traditional HR professionals.

Attendees may RSVP at fortscott.com and an optional lunch may be ordered online for $10.

For more information, contact the Chamber at

620-223-3566 or email [email protected]

Click HERE to RSVP.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Presbyterian Village on July 24

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Join us for Chamber Coffee

hosted by

Fort Scott

Presbyterian Village
Thursday, July 24th

8am

at

2401 S. Horton St.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton St., this Thursday, July 24th, at 8am. Coffee, juice, and refreshments will be served, and attendees may register to win a special drawing.

Presbyterian Village is a not-for-profit, faith-based, independent, and assisted living facility. Located across from the City Golf Course, the campus features a fishing pond, garden, and walking path. Residents can choose from one- or two-bedroom apartments, all of which feature kitchens, appliances, and covered parking.

Amenities and Services include:

• All utilities (including cable TV and internet)

• Onsite salon and exercise equipment

• Transportation services

• Wellness and social programs

• Emergency call system

The community fosters a Christian-oriented lifestyle with regular chapel services and Bible study. Presbyterian Village is known for its high-quality care, consistently earning zero-deficiency surveys from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services.

For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.

Click HERE to visit the

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Facebook Page!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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