Fort Scott National Cemetery, Rostrum, 900 East National Avenue, Fort Scott, Bourbon County, KS

Significance: The rostrum was built in 1882, based on a standard design developed in 1878 under the direction of U.S. Army Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs. As constructed, the rostrum consisted of a raised, rectangular brick platform with twelve 12'-0" tall square brick columns supporting a wooden trellis. Originally the platform was planted with grass. Cast-iron stairs on the north and south sides of the rostrum provided access to the platform; the simple perimeter railing is iron pipe. In 1931 the rostrum was substantially rebuilt; a concrete deck was installed, and portions of the original cornice and recessed panels of the platform walls were eliminated. In 1961 the trellis and two interior columns were removed. The remaining ten columns were truncated at 3'-2" above the platform deck and topped with concrete caps.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N50
Survey number: HALS KS-3-A
Building/structure dates: 1882 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1931 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1961 Subsequent Work