Fort Scott, Kansas

Downtown Fort Scott fire (2005)

On March 11, 2005, a fire destroyed several historic buildings in Fort Scott's downtown. The Victorian-era buildings were among many that are a symbol of the town.[11]

Fort Scott has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cool winters. The average temperature in Fort Scott is 57 °F or 13.9 °C with temperatures exceeding 90 °F or 32.2 °C on an average of 81 afternoons a year and dropping below 32 °F or 0 °C during an average of 97 mornings per year. On average, Fort Scott experiences 69.5 rainy days a year. Annual snowfall averages 16.7 inches or 0.42 metres.[15] Precipitation averages 44.1 inches or 1,120 millimetres per year. On average, January is the coolest month, July the hottest and June the wettest. The hottest temperature recorded in Fort Scott was 120 °F (48.9 °C) in 1954, the coldest being −18 °F (−27.8 °C) in 1989.[16]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 8,087 people, 3,285 households, and 1,941 families living in the city. The population density was 1,457.1 inhabitants per square mile (562.6/km²). There were 3,819 housing units at an average density of 688.1 per square mile (265.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.3% White, 4.7% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 3,285 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 35.2 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.5% were from 45 to 64; and 18.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,297 people, 3,481 households, and 2,081 families living in the city. The population density was 1,529.4 people per square mile (590.0/km²). There were 3,914 housing units at an average density of 278.3 persons/km² (721.5 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 91.53% White, 5.15% African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. 1.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,481 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 11.5% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 40.2% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,871, and the median income for a family was $34,531. Males had a median income of $25,919 versus $20,583 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,997. About 10.9% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

Fort Scott Community College, founded in 1919, is the oldest community college in the state of Kansas.

The community is served by Fort Scott USD 234 public school district, which includes two public elementary schools (Eugene Ware Elementary and Winfield Scott Elementary), one public middle school (Fort Scott Middle School) and one high school (Fort Scott High School).

There is a Catholic school for grades K–5, Fort Scott Christian Heights for K–12 and a few other small private schools for students from grades K–12. There is also a public preschool in the old middle school building.

Shelter house 1 was one of the first structures built in the park.

Gunn Park is a 155 acre park that has seven shelter houses, two lakes for fishing and multiple playground areas. There are 14 camping sites available with electricity and water.[17] In 1999, a nine hole Frisbee golf course was added through a joint effort of the City of Fort Scott and the Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott.[18] The Disc Golf Course was later expanded to 18 holes. There are two fishing lakes available at Gunn Park.[19] From October 15th to April 15th, Fern Lake is stocked with trout.[20] There are several playground areas located throughout the park with updated equipment. Approximately, 6.5 miles of single track, mountain bike trails have been added in the timber, and along the Marmaton River. These trails provide adventure and exercise for mountain bike riders, trail runners as well as hikers.[21] Gunn Park has 7 shelter houses, 4 are enclosed shelters and 3 are open shelters. Shelters can be reserved at City Hall.[22]

The first shelter house of stone was built in 1910 on the first lake (Fern Lake). 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 4th, the street cars would take as many as 10,000 people to the park in one day.

In 1999, a nine hole Frisbee golf course was added to Gunn Park through a joint effort of the City of Fort Scott and the Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott. It was recently made an 18 hole course.