Discover 7 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Leavenworth (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Fort Leavenworth, Richard Allen Cultural Center, and First Presbyterian Church. Also, be sure to include Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Leavenworth (Kansas).
Table of Contents
Fort Leavenworth
Army installation. Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army installation located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, in the city of Leavenworth, roughly 20 miles northwest of Kansas City. Built in 1827, it is the second oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C., and the oldest permanent settlement in Kansas. Fort Leavenworth has been historically known as the "Intellectual Center of the Army."
During the country's westward expansion, Fort Leavenworth was a forward destination for thousands of soldiers, surveyors, immigrants, American Indians, preachers and settlers who passed through. On 1 August 1846, a Mormon Battalion, led by Col. James Allen, arrived at Fort Leavenworth. Colonel Allen became ill and died at the fort. A headstone marks his grave at the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Today, the garrison supports the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) by managing and maintaining the home of the US Army Combined Arms Center (CAC). CAC's mission involves leader development, collective training, and Army doctrine and battle command (current and future).
Fort Leavenworth is also home to the Military Corrections Complex, consisting of the United States Disciplinary Barracks – the Department of Defense's only maximum security prison – and the Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility. In addition, the Fort Leavenworth Garrison supports numerous tenant organizations that directly and indirectly relate to the functions of the CAC, including the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the Foreign Military Studies Office.
The fort occupies 5,600 acres (2,300 ha) and 7,000,000 sq ft (700,000 m2) of space in 1,000 buildings and 1,500 quarters. It is located on the Frontier Military Scenic Byway (U.S. Route 69 and K-7 corridor), which was originally a military road connecting to Fort Scott and Fort Gibson.
Fort Leavenworth was also the base of African-American soldiers of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on 21 September 1866 at Fort Leavenworth. They became known as Buffalo Soldiers, nicknamed by the Native American tribes whom they fought. The term eventually was applied to all of the African-American regiments formed in 1866.[1]
Address: 625 Thomas Ave, Leavenworth
Richard Allen Cultural Center
Museum in Leavenworth, Kansas. The Richard Allen Cultural Center opened in 1992 to highlight African-American history in Leavenworth, Kansas. In 1992, the museum opened in the former home of U.S. Army Captain William Bly, a Buffalo Soldier during World War I. The home is decorated to look as it would have in the early 1900s. In 2002, an addition was built to the front of the original home to display more items teaching about African-American history in Kansas. One display includes prints of original photographic plate negatives donated to the museum, called the Black Dignity Photos from the Mary Everhard collection. The photographs are African-American pioneers who lived in and around the Leavenworth area from 1870s to 1920s. Other items include military artifacts from African-American soldiers who served on Fort Leavenworth, including Colin Powell. The Richard Allen Cultural Center also contains a Ku Klux Klan costume and photographs depicting KKK activities in Leavenworth. One artifact is a news article discussing the public lynching of an African-American citizen of Leavenworth, Fred Alexander. The Richard Allen Cultural Center seeks to preserve these pieces of Leavenworth, Kansas history so that they are not forgotten.
In 2016 a bronze bust of Cathay Williams, featuring information about her and with a small rose garden around it, was unveiled outside the Richard Allen Cultural Center.[2]
Address: 412 Kiowa St, 66048-1551 Leavenworth
First Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian church in Leavenworth, Kansas. First Presbyterian Church, Leavenworth is a historic Presbyterian church at 407 Walnut Street in Leavenworth, Kansas. It was designed by architect William Pratt Feth and built in 1907–09.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
It is a Classical Revival-style brick building, with brick laid in stretcher bond. It has an Ionic portico.[3]
Address: 407 Walnut St, 66048-2730 Leavenworth
Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center
Railroad station. Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center was a former Union Pacific railroad station located in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States. It is also known as the Old Union Depot when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It is currently known as the Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center.[4]
Address: 123 N Esplanade St, Leavenworth
Leavenworth County Historical Society Carroll House Museum
Specialty museum, Museum
Address: 1128 5th Ave, 66048-3213 Leavenworth
Nathaniel H. Burt House
The Nathaniel H. Burt House is a historic house located at 400 Fifth Avenue in Leavenworth, Kansas. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 27, 1987.
Source of information about the Burt children and Carroll Mansion Museum is from the Leavenworth County Historical Society at the Carroll Mansion Museum (next door to the Burt House), 1128 Fifth Avenue.[5]
Carnegie Arts Center of Leavenworth
Arts organization in Leavenworth, Kansas. The Carnegie Arts Center of Leavenworth, Kansas an historic building in namesake city. It was originally the Leavenworth Public Library. Constructed in 1900 with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, the two-story brick and limestone building was the first Carnegie Library in Kansas. The architect was Marshall R. Sanguinet of Fort Worth, Texas, who designed the Dallas Public Library at the same time. It is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
From 1902 to 1987, the building housed the Leavenworth Public Library. From 1987 to 2012, the Carnegie Arts Center was housed in this building. It was a nonprofit organization which taught visual arts, painting, art history, music, dance, pottery and drama in the Leavenworth community for 25 years.
In 2012 upon the disbanding of the nonprofit organization, ownership of the building was reverted to the city of Leavenworth, Kansas.[6]