FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS — The Fort Leavenworth Spouses’ Club will help recognize and celebrate some of the post’s historic homes and architecturally significant landmarks with the Historic Homes Tour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 10, with check-in for the tours beginning at 10:45 a.m. at the Old U.S. Disciplinary Barracks complex on McPherson Avenue at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The homes and landmarks on the tour represent pieces of military, social and American history. All proceeds from the tours go to the FLSC’s scholarships and grants program.
To purchase tickets for the Historic Homes Tour, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bourbon-night. Tour goers can choose a single ticket for $20 or reduced-price couples tickets for $30. Tickets for the Bootlegger Gala Dinner and Bourbon Pull later that evening are sold out.
Attendees must be least 10 years old. No photography is allowed inside the homes. The tour is self-guided, but attendees should check in between 11 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. to receive a map and wristband for home entry. Tours must be completed by 3 p.m.
Homes and landmarks on the tour:
Sutler House
The home at 611 Scott Ave., built in 1841, is known as the Sutler House and was the commercial and social hub of 19th-century military life. The historic residence is also known for its connections to prominent figures such as Gen. Colin Powell and holds legends of a resident ghost tied to Gen. Philip Sheridan’s wife.
26 Sumner Place
The home at 26 Sumner Place was constructed in 1870 and offers a rare glimpse into frontier-era military housing. As the last remaining examples of Folk Victorian-style architecture from the period, it preserves Fort Leavenworth’s legacy during the Indian Wars and Western Expansion.
Henry Leavenworth House
The Henry Leavenworth House at 612 Grant Ave. is an 1883 Queen Anne-style home that honors Fort Leavenworth’s founder and showcases exceptional 19th-century architectural design. Distinguished residents, including Maj. E.L. Munson, have called it home.
610 Scott Ave.
The home at 610 Scott Ave., built in 1894, exemplifies the Italianate style and the post’s transition to a center of military education. Home to figures such as Lt. Charles W. Abbott Jr. and Capt. Samuel L. Woodward, the residence reflects the fort’s pivotal role in shaping the modern U.S. Army.
603 Grant Ave.
The home at 603 Grant Ave., constructed in 1901, provided modern, electric-lit accommodations for officers attending the cavalry and infantry schools. Its proximity to historical sites like Zais Park underscores its significance.
Otis Hall
Otis Hall, built in 1902, originally housed bachelor officers and now serves as distinguished visitor lodging. Named for Maj. Gen. Elwell Stephen Otis, Otis Hall has hosted notable guests, including Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, and boasts literary ties to F. Scott Fitzgerald, who began writing “This Side of Paradise” during his stay.
Memorial Chapel
Memorial Chapel at 626 Scott Ave. stands as a solemn tribute to the men and women who lived and served at Fort Leavenworth. Originally built in 1878 using locally quarried stone and prison labor, this cherished landmark houses 88 plaques commemorating nearly 100 individuals and units, including soldiers from the Battle of Little Bighorn. Memorial Chapel remains an active house of worship today, fostering spiritual connection across generations.
Masonic Lodge
Masonic Lodge and U.S. Post Office building at 311 Kearney Ave. was completed in 1922, blending fraternal tradition with federal service. It remains the only Masonic Lodge located on a U.S. military reservation, a testament to the enduring community spirit at Fort Leavenworth.
Additional information about each location will be included in a digital brochure for attendees the day of the tours.
“These landmarks are more than buildings — they are living connections to Fort Leavenworth’s vital contributions to American military history and culture,” FLSC Parliamentarian Jeannette Balboni said. “We are proud to preserve and share them with future generations.”
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