We are happy to report that Fort Osage National Historic Landmark will re-open to the public on Tuesday, February 27th, after a fire last Sunday caused its temporary closing while damages could be assessed.
Fort Osage National Historic Landmark, owned and operated by Jackson County Parks + Rec, will be closed indefinitely after sustaining damage from a grass fire.
Fire crews from multiple agencies, including Ft. Osage, Independence, Sni Valley, Central Jackson County, Liberty, and Wellington-Napoleon, responded to the scene around 5 p.m. Sunday. An investigation is underway to determine how and where the grass fire started, but firefighters say high winds and dry weather conditions caused the fire to spread to the historic landmark.
An initial assessment by Parks + Rec staff has determined that three buildings and a fence at Fort Osage sustained damage. The full extent of the damage is unknown.
The Fort Osage Education Center was not damaged by the grass fire, but smoke entered the building. As a result, it will also be closed indefinitely.
