Leavenworth

Leavenworth is a city in Kansas that serves as the county seat and holds a notable military presence along the Missouri River. It combines residential neighborhoods with older brick buildings and several riverside parks that offer views across the water toward Missouri.

The city received its charter in 1854 as the first incorporated town in Kansas Territory and grew around the military fort established in 1827. It developed quickly as a trading and supply point for settlers and became an important center for river transport along the Missouri.

The Richard Allen Cultural Center preserves African American heritage through exhibits detailing the Underground Railroad's local connections and Buffalo Soldiers' contributions.

The city is accessible by several main roads and offers public transport connections along with a range of accommodations near the historic downtown. Visitors will find walking paths along the riverfront and several museums within walking distance of the center.

Within the military grounds stands the country's only maximum-security facility for service members convicted of serious crimes, housing inmates from all branches of the armed forces. The complex has operated continuously for over a century and remains closed to public access.

Location: Leavenworth County

Inception: 1854

Elevation above the sea: 256 m

Website: https://leavenworthks.org

GPS coordinates: 39.31110,-94.92250

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:36