Community Profile The City of Leavenworth, Kansas is located on the west bank of the Missouri River in the Dissected Till Plains region of North America’s Central Lowlands on land that was originally inhabited by the tribes of the Delaware, Kansa, and Osage peoples. Four small tributaries of the Missouri River flow eastward through the city, Quarry Creek, Corral Creek, Three Mile Creek, and Five Mile Creek. The City’s water source comes from the Missouri River. Leavenworth is 28 miles northwest of Kansas City, Missouri and 45 miles northeast of Topeka, Kansas, 145 miles south‐southeast of Omaha, and 165 miles northeast of Wichita, at the intersection of US Route 73 and Kansas Highway 92. The City has a population of 34,967 and covers an area of approximately 24.06 square miles. Fort Leavenworth, built in 1827, was originally named Cantonment Leavenworth by Colonel Henry Leavenworth. For several decades, the fort played an important role in keeping the peace between the various Indian tribes and the settlers moving west. Many Leavenworth city streets are named after local Indian tribes. While Fort Leavenworth was separate from the city until annexation in 1977, the two are interdependent on each other and their histories are inextricably intertwined. The City provides additional housing, shopping, recreational, and cultural amenities that are not available on base. In addition to the military personnel, the Fort provides thirty‐six percent of civilian employment. Fort Leavenworth is home to the Combined Arms Center, the intellectual center of the Army; the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; National Simulation Center and the Army Corrections Complex. Leavenworth is home to the University of Saint Mary, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. Leavenworth has a small town, historic atmosphere with access to the amenities of a larger city. In addition to the large federal presence and large private employers such as Hallmark Cards, the Leavenworth community is home to many smaller, family‐owned businesses. The 28‐blocks of downtown Historic Leavenworth still contains many of the buildings that were present in the early 1900's. Vintage homes are scattered throughout the community. The City grew south of and in support of the fort, was established in 1854, and was incorporated by the first Kansas territorial legislature in 1855. The City was the first city incorporated in the Kansas Territory, hence its’ motto: First City of Kansas. American history identifies Leavenworth for its key role as a supply base for settlers going west. The City was home to freight companies, meat packers, provisioners, stove makers, and furniture manufacturers. As the city grew, factories and businesses flourished and stately homes were built to house the families whose wealth grew as the city grew. Leavenworth was the industrial center of Kansas and of the west. The city has a historic wayside walking and driving tour commemorating the notable events and locations in the community.
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