Fort Scott in Bourbon County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Riverfront Park 1986 flooding
Fort Scott Historic Flood Tour
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026
1. Riverfront Park 1986 flooding Marker
You're on the Fort Scott Flood Tour! Visit the web site for details on other locations in town: https://visitfortscott.com/see-and-do/fort-scott-flood-tour/.
On October 3, 1986, after nearly 20 inches of rain in 3-days, the Marmaton River crested at 52.5 feet, breaking the previous record set in 1915. For perspective, at 42 feet, all roads into Bell Town are inaccessible. Across from modern-day Riverfront Park, water stood nearly waist deep, causing the Fort Scott Cattle Sales Company to release 250 head of cattle. These cattle swam in the water, and three ended up on the roof of the home in the photo. The local newspaper read, "The only way you can get out of Fort Scott is by boat." Of the roughly 60 businesses damaged in the flood, only a few had flood insurance. The total estimated loss was $60 million.
Driving into floodwater is the number one cause of flood related deaths in Kansas. Do not drive into flood water for any reason!
Erected by Division of Emergency Management, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Silver Jackets and US Army Corps of Engineers.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in
this page online
Location. 37° 50.886′ N, 94° 42.407′ W. Marker is in Fort Scott, Kansas, in Bourbon County. It is on North National Avenue north of Humboldt Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at Riverfront Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 N National Ave, Fort Scott KS 66701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Bleeding Kansas Border War Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Riverfront Park Loop 1931 flooding (approx. 0.2 miles away); Call 911: Civil War Style (approx. 0.3 miles away); "But I Can Fire a Pistol" (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rank, Privilege, and Officers Row (approx.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026
2. Riverfront Park 1986 flooding Marker
Marker is next to the trash can.
Also see . . .
1. Fort Scott Flood Tour (archived). This is the first link on the marker. (Submitted on October 3, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Kansas High Water Sign Initiative (archived). The Silver Jackets program has placed several historical markers about flooded areas that also feature safety warnings, in some states. This features a list of those from Kansas. The website is no longer running. (Submitted on October 3, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
