A Brief History of Fort Leavenworth, 1827-1983

In the spring of 1827 Colonel Henry Leavenworth led an expedition up the Missouri River, past the mouth of the Little Platte, in search of a site for a new fort. He selected a location on the bluffs of the west bank, high above the river. The fort named for Colonel Leavenworth soon had an important role in the settlement and defense of the West. Today, 156 years after its founding, the physical beauty of the fort is undiminished the bluffs overlooking the river, the rolling grassland surrounded by a ridge line on the west, and the historic buildings are reminders of the posts heritage. More important, Fort Leavenworth has occupied an integral position in the American defense effort over the years. And it continues to do so to this day. Ten essays narrate the history of the fort and illuminate the important contributions made to this country by its peoples, events, and institutions. Each essay was written by a member of the Combat Studies Institute, the history department of the Command and General Staff College. These professional historians have contributed their effects in the hope that this posts history-the important role it played in times past- will be more accessible.