Leavenworth in Leavenworth County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

1744

History Stop 1

— History 101 Legends of Leavenworth 5K Walking History Trail —

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 13, 2025

1. 1744 Marker

Inscription.

During the 18th century, the French and Spanish competed for this area, but the French succeeded due to better relations with the Native Americans. Founding Fort de Cavagnial in 1744 in the approximate vicinity of where Fort Leavenworth stands today, the French evacuated 20 years later when France ceded the Louisiana territories west of the Mississippi River to Spain. Then the territory reverted back to France before it was acquired by the United States.

Erected by Leavenworth Main Street Program Inc., Kansas Main Street, and Union Pacific. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1744.

Location. 39° 19.001′ N, 94° 55.056′ W. Marker is in Leavenworth, Kansas, in Leavenworth County. It is on Cherokee Street west of 6th Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is at Haymarket Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 618 Cherokee Street, Leavenworth KS 66048, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Greater Kansas City.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Haymarket Square (within shouting distance of this marker); William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody

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(within shouting distance of this marker); "Trails" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "In Honor of the Military" (about 700 feet away); Davis Funeral Chapel (about 700 feet away); Leavenworth Masonic Building Association (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1976 Bicentennial Capsule (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Star of the West (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leavenworth.

Also see . . . Fort de Cavagnial Diorama at Frontier Army Museum. Part of a National Park Service article on the Lewis and Clark expedition. (Submitted on October 15, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

1744 Marker at History 101 Walking Trail Start Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 13, 2025

2. 1744 Marker at History 101 Walking Trail Start Kiosk

1744 Marker and History 101 Walking Trail Start Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 13, 2025

3. 1744 Marker and History 101 Walking Trail Start Kiosk

Haymarket Square in background

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 65 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 15, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.