In 1886 two Sisters of Mercy opened a 10-bed hospital in Fort Scott.  Now, over a century later, Mercy includes two hospitals, four rural clinics, 10 home health facilities and provides service for much of Southeast Kansas.

Near the geographic and population centers of the nation, Fort Scott is about 90 minutes south of Kansas City. Fort Scott's work force is marked by strong work ethics, low absenteeism and high productivity born of strong rural roots.  Fort Scott residents enjoy a comfortable living environment where the average cost of an existing single-family home is 48 percent lower than the national average.

History
Established and garrisoned by the U.S. Army from 1842-1853, soldiers at Fort Scott assisted with the protection of the "Permanent Indian Frontier." After the army abandoned the fort in 1853, the buildings were purchased by local settlers at a government auction in 1855. The former military post became the center of one of the largest towns in the Kansas Territory.

After the Civil War, Fort Scott became a premier city of the frontier, one of the largest cities in eastern Kansas. On three different occasions, between 1870 and 1900, Fort Scott was in competition with Kansas City to become the largest railroad center west of the Mississippi. During the first half of the 20th century, Fort Scott became the agricultural, industrial and insurance center, which it continues to be today.

Beginning in the early 1960's, the community made a long-term commitment to preserving its extraordinary and elegant past. Today citizens take great pride in the many blocks of preserved architecture. This is reflected in the Victorian homes and commercial buildings, including the jewel of its downtown area, Fort Scott National Historic Site, the restored 1842 Frontier Fort.