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Fort Leavenworth
- Continue west on Kiowa to Seventh Street, then turn right and proceed north
to the main gate of Fort Leavenworth.
The fort was established in 1827 by Colonel Henry Leavenworth and a battalion of his 3rd
Infantry Regiment. It is the oldest Fort west of the Mississippi River that has never had a break in
its active duty status since the day of its founding. Today the fort is the home of the U.S. Army
Combined Arms Command.
Fort Leavenworth oversees training and combat development for the Army and is the home of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
- Traveling north on Grant Avenue into the fort will be the Buffalo Soldier Monument located immediately after the second stop light on the right. This magnificent monument was dedicated in July 1992. This project was initiated by General Colin Powell. While stationed at the fort, General Powell noted that only two short streets were named after the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments comprised of black soldiers. A fund-raising project was initiated in the late 1980's and, over one million dollars later the monument was installed.
The Buffalo Soldiers proved their bravery and valor throughout the Indian Wars. They won the respect of the Cheyenne warriors who named them "Buffalo Soldiers," a badge of honor accepted and worn with pride. This beautiful monument is indeed a fitting tribute to these black cavalry troopers. At this time drive on through the parking lot and turn left on Stimson and then right on Bundel Road to view the Berlin Wall Monument located in the Grove of Regiments.
- Return to Grant to continue north to the next stop light which is Reynolds Avenue and take a right to the Frontier Army Museum. The museum is open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays and holidays (closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years). Donations accepted. You may follow the Fort's Historic Wayside Tour from this location.
- As you leave the main gate of the fort, turn right and drive west on Metropolitan. This road will take you by the U.S. Federal Penitentiary. Construction of the prison was begun in 1895 and was built with prison labor. The first inmates were housed after its completion in 1906. Although tours of the "Big House" are not available and visitors without official business are not allowed on the grounds, there is an overlook down past the prison on the right where you may stop and take pictures, as well as see Buffalo that are cared for by inmates.
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