Captain Nathan Boone and Colonel Stephen W. Kearny of the 1st U.S. Dragoons were on the board that suggested the new frontier outpost be built halfway between Forts Leavenworth and Gibson on a bluff high above the prairie.
On April 9, 1842, Captain Benjamin Moore of the 1st U.S. Dragoons approved the site. A troop of his dragoons began clearing land under the command of Sergeant John Harrison.
The War Department abandoned Fort Wayne in Oklahoma on May 26, 1842 and ordered the garrison of dragoons to relocate to the new outpost in the Kansas Territory. Temporary quarters were built. On May 30, Captain Moore assumed command of Camp Scott, named in honor of General Winfield Scott.
In 1844, the task of overseeing the construction of permanent structures fell to Captain Thomas Swords. A flagpole was erected in the center of the parade ground. A well was dug to one side of the pole. The powder magazine was situated on the other side.
The majority of the frame and brick buildings ringed the perimeter of the parade ground. When the first buildings were built in 1843, Camp Scott was renamed Fort Scott.
The two-story hospital and infantry barracks were erected first. A stable for the dragoons' horses was constructed adjacent to the two-story barracks. Company A of the 1st U.S. Dragoons were the first troops to take up residence.
The dragoons were expert horsemen. Their regiments were renowned for their ability to fight on foot or horseback.
They took pride in their mounts. Each company of dragoons rode the same color horse. No matter the color the regiments chose, the dragoons preferred mounts without blazes or stars on their noses or stockings on their legs.
The purpose of the dragoons stationed at Fort Scott were to protect the freighters traveling over the Santa Fe Trail and suppress unrest among the Indians. But the Indians living near the fort were generally peaceful.
In short time, Fort Scott grew to encompass officers' quarters, post headquarters, guardhouse, quartermaster storehouse, privies and cistern as well as various outbuildings, carriage houses, a blacksmith shop and post bakery.
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