First Territorial Capitol of Kansas

First Territorial Capitol
First Territorial Capitol at Fort Riley
Nearest city Junction City, Kansas
Coordinates 39°5′5″N 96°45′42″W / 39.08472°N 96.76167°WCoordinates: 39°5′5″N 96°45′42″W / 39.08472°N 96.76167°W
Area 2.8 acres (1.1 ha)
Built 1855
Governing body State
NRHP Reference # 70000249[1]
Added to NRHP December 2, 1970

The First Territorial Capitol of Kansas is the sole remaining building in Pawnee, Kansas. The town served as the capital city of the Kansas Territory for five days before it was moved to present day Fairway, Kansas and the town became part of Fort Riley. The building now serves as a history museum.

After the rest of Pawnee was demolished, the former capitol building served a variety of uses, including housing, warehouse, and a carpentry shop. In the 1920s several civilian organizations, including the Kansas Historical Society, the Union Pacific Railroad and the Kansas legislature took over responsibility for the building and repaired it. It became a history museum in 1928.[2][3]

The First Territorial Capitol State Historic Site features exhibits on Kansas Territory, rail and river travel in the region, and the history of Pawnee.[4]

Since the museum is on an active U.S. Army base, there are restrictions on visitors, including requirements for photo identification.[5]

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09.
  2. "Driving tour of Fort Riley (Stop #8)". U.S. Army. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  3. "Tours of Fort Riley". U.S. Army. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  4. "First Territorial Capitol". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 2013-03-24.
  5. "Visitor Requirements". U.S. Army. 2009-04-24. Retrieved 2009-07-19.

External links