In the 1830s, settlers heading for the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails crossed the Missouri River at this point. Teams of oxen pulled the loaded wagons through the "cut " in the hillside you can still see today.
Come visit us in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
The "DB," as it is known, was established as a military prison in 1873. The buildings inside date from 1863 to 1964. The DB is the only military maximum security facility. This USDB closed in 2003 and the inmates were moved to the new USDB on the west side of the fort. The 'castle'
Fort Leavenworth, KS Historic BuildingsThe Stone wall behind and across the street from Grant's statue is a favorite with photographers. The wall was restored in the early part of this century by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Fort Leavenworth, KS LandmarksThe two frame houses are known as the Syracuse Houses because they were designed in 1855 by E.V. Carr, a prominent architect from Syracuse, New York. Lt. Colonel George Custer and his wife lived in one of these houses for a few months in 1868.
Fort Leavenworth, KS Historic BuildingsThe St. Ignatius Chapel was built here in 1889 and replaced the original chapel which had been built near here in 1871.
Fort Leavenworth, KS Historic ChurchesBuilt in 1878 by prison labor from stone quarried on the post and, today, is considered to be an outstanding architectural "gem" in this area.
Fort Leavenworth, KS Historic ChurchesIt was on May 18, 1859, that the Republican Party was organized in Kansas by Horace Greeley at the Osage Valley Hotel which s...