Fort Leavenworth   Leavenworth, Kansas 66048 Free Open 7 days a week. National Cemetery open daily from dawn to dusk. Frontier Army Museum closed Sunday and national holidays - (913) 684-3186

Buffalo Soldier Monument

Established in 1827, Fort Leavenworth at Leavenworth, Kansas is the oldest active Army post west of the Mississippi. Although known for its role in the expansion of the American frontier and as the only US military maximum security prison, Fort Leavenworth's most important role began in 1881 when Gen. William T. Sherman established the School of Application for Cavalry and Infantry. That school evolved into the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and has graduated officers such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar N. Bradley and George S. Patton.

Fort Leavenworth has a number of things to offer civilian visitors: a national cemetery, museum, monuments and many interesting 19th century buildings. The Frontier Army Museum at Fort Leavenworth is being renovated and has much less to offer right now. But you can still print this map (page 1, page 2) and driving tour. The tour stops at about 15 locations where you will find a display with a recorded message.

When visitors arrive at the entrance to Fort Leavenworth, it typically takes about 5 minutes to get a visitor's pass. The army requires photo ID, car registration and proof of insurance. They will inform you of any restrictions to where you may go on the Fort. Only US residents are permitted to tour Fort Leavenworth.

Fort Leavenworth is well worth a visit, but there are many more museums and attractions at Fort Riley in central Kansas. 

Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery is one of the first 12 national cemeteries established by Abraham Lincoln on July 17, 1862. Burials began in the 1840s.  Over 30,500 graves of veterans and dependents. 

Thomas Ward Custer - double Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Died with his brother George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn

copyright 2005-2010 by Keith Stokes