We’ve certainly got a lot of history in Kansas. The state may not have been among the first in the country to be settled by Europeans, but there’s no shortage of Native American history, and, of course, stories from the Wild West era loom large in Kansas legends. Have you ever wondered “What is the oldest building in Kansas?” The Rookery in Leavenworth was built around 1834 and it’s thought to be the second-oldest currently standing building in Kansas.

If you're a student of history, it comes as no surprise that Leavenworth is home to one of the oldest buildings in Kansas.
Melissa Bower/Wikimedia Commons
Leavenworth is nicknamed the first city in Kansas. It was founded back in 1854, and the city's Fort Leavenworth was built several decades prior to that.
Fort Leavenworth is the second-oldest active U.S. Army post west of Washington D.C., and it's also the oldest permanent settlement in Kansas. It's here that you'll find The Rookery.
Visit Leavenworth, Kansas
The Rookery was constructed sometime between 1832 to 1834 and originally served as living quarters for officers on the post.
Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress

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Andrew Horatio Reeder served as the first territorial governor of Kansas.
Fort Leavenworth Frontier Heritage Communities/Facebook
Reeder was sworn into office in Washington D.C. but would later serve from The Rookery, which technically makes this the state's first capitol building.
For a short time, General Douglas MacArthur and his mother lived here in the early 1900s.
Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress
Not surprisingly for a building this old, it's said that The Rookery is among the most haunted places in Kansas.
Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress
Families who have lived there have reported mysterious sounds, disappearing items, and even screaming and apparitions.

You can learn more about The Rookery in Leavenworth or the history of Fort Leavenworth on the Visit Leavenworth website.

Leavenworth is a charming city that has history, plus plenty of attractions and restaurants. If you’re looking for the best place to stay in Leavenworth, check out the Leavenworth Local, a trendy hotel located in a converted school.

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