Leavenworth County, Kansas

2nd Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper 32nd and 44th U.S. Volunteer Infantries 555th Parachute Infantry Company A Lasting Friendship Abraham Lincoln Ackenhausen Saddlery Company Building Address by President Lincoln American Legion Post #23 Veterans Memorial Artillery Guard House BG Benjamin H. Grierson Bleeding Kansas Captain Meriwether Lewis Captain William Clark CPL David M. Unger Cyclone Carry Daniel Read Anthony Davis Funeral Chapel Easton Methodist Church Edward Hatch Elizabeth Schenck Smith House First Capital of Kansas Territory First Meeting of the Methodist Church First Presbyterian Church Fort Leavenworth Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery Fort Sully Fort Sully Frederick H. Harvey Freedom Tree French Aid During American Revolution General Colin L. Powell General Creighton W. Abrams General Roscoe Robinson Jr. General William Tecumseh Sherman Grant Haymarket Square Henry G. Davis Henry Leavenworth Heritage Court / Celebration of the Midwest Family Home of David Josiah Brewer Home of Frederick Henry Harvey Jeremy A. Katzenberger Jeremy Lee Drexler Knights of Columbus Hall Law Offices of Sherman, Ewing, and McCook Leavenworth Leavenworth County Leavenworth County War Memorial Leavenworth County World War Memorial Leavenworth Landing Park Leavenworth Masonic Building Association Leavenworth Public Library Leavenworth's Union Depot Leigh Hall Lieutenant John L. Grattan Lincoln at Stockton Hall Lincoln at the Planters Major General James Franklin Bell Manufacturing Metropolis of the Midwest Nathaniel Burt House Patrick C. Hawkins Post Riding Hall Quartzite Boulder Replica of the Statue of Liberty Ricky M. Rodgers Riverfront Community Center Russell, Majors & Waddell Saint Mary Samuel Turner Shepperd Santa Fe and Oregon Trails Sherman Hall Sisters of Charity Site of Former Burial Ground Site of Offices of Russell, Majors, and Waddell Site of Old Blockhouse Soldiers Who Died at Fort Larned St. Ignatius Chapel (Building 170) St. Paul Lutheran Church St. Paul's Episcopal Church Stockton Hall Temple B'Nai Jeshurun The Anthonys The Buffalo Soldier Monument The Carroll House The City of Leavenworth The Congregational Church of Tonganoxie The First Bank in Kansas The First Public Park in Kansas The Great Railroad Era The Knapp House The Landing The Landing Retail District The Lincoln Steps The Oregon and Santa Fe Trails The Port of Leavenworth The Star of the West The Star of the West Saloon The United States Army Command and General Staff College The V.A. Medical Center Chapel Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody William J. Mulvihill World War and All War Memorial Zais Park "Harvey House" Leavenworth Court House Annex I
Leavenworth County, Kansas, has a rich and varied history that stretches back to its early settlement in the mid-1800s. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, most notably the Kickapoo and Delaware tribes. In 1827, Fort Leavenworth was established by the United States Army, serving as an important outpost for the growing Western frontier.

The arrival of white settlers in the 1850s brought significant changes to the region. In 1854, Leavenworth City was founded, and it quickly became a bustling center of trade and commerce. The city was an important stop along the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails, playing a crucial role in westward expansion. Leavenworth thrived as a transportation hub, with steamboats navigating the Missouri River and the development of railroads in the area.

During the Civil War, Leavenworth County was deeply divided, reflecting the broader conflicts of the nation. The county's strategic location made it a contested area, and the town of Leavenworth became an important military supply base for Union forces. The region was also a hotbed of political activity, with pro-slavery and abolitionist factions clashing over their conflicting ideologies.

In the decades following the war, Leavenworth County continued to evolve and grow. Agriculture became a leading industry, with wheat and corn being major crops. The county also played a role in the development of industry, particularly in the manufacturing of cement and bricks. Today, Leavenworth County is known for its diverse economy and its historical significance. Visitors can explore the area's rich heritage through museums, historic sites, and events that celebrate the county's unique past.
Brief timeline of the history of Leavenworth County, Kansas:

  • 1855: Leavenworth County is established as one of the original 33 counties of the Kansas Territory.
  • 1858: The city of Leavenworth is officially incorporated.
  • 1863: Leavenworth becomes an important military post during the Civil War.
  • 1866: The first railroad reaches Leavenworth, enhancing the city's transportation and trade.
  • 1882: A devastating flood hits Leavenworth, causing significant damage to the city.
  • 1898: The Carnegie Library, the city's first public library, opens its doors.
  • 1918: Fort Leavenworth becomes the headquarters of the United States Army Combined Arms Center.
  • 1930s: The Great Depression brings economic struggles to Leavenworth County.
  • 1974: The historic downtown district of Leavenworth is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2004: The University of Saint Mary opens its campus in Leavenworth.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Leavenworth County, Kansas.

Audiobooks about the history of Kansas.