Fort Leavenworth, Building No. 17, 20-22 Sumner Place, Leavenworth, Leavenworth County, KS

Significance: The former Post Commander's Residence possesses considerable significance both historically and architecturally. It symbolizes the connection of the post in the 1830's and 1840's with the First Dragoons (Cavalry) Regiment, one of the leading forces used by the U.S. Army to explore routes west, keep peace among Indian tribes, and protect settlers. It also was headquarters for efforts by the Army during the 1850's to uphold federal law during the "Bloody Kansas" conflict. During the 1880's, Building #17 became the residence of the commandants of the new School of Application for Cavalry and Infantry, now the Command and General Staff College and a center for entertainment for officers of the school. Architecturally, Building #17 is the oldest brick building in Kansas and one of the oldest brick structures west of Kansas City. Its design is a rare surviving mixture of Federal era and Greek Revival details. Its wooden pegged interior structure is one of the oldest such structures extant in the Plains region.
Survey number: HABS KS-53-N
Building/structure dates: 1838- 1840 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1855- 1856 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: ca. 1881 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: ca. 1905- ca. 1915 Subsequent Work
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 66000346