Pictorial History of the United States Penitentiary Leavenworth, Kansas
On July 1, 1895 under the direction of warden James French, the first federal prison was born. That same year St. Louis archtects Eames and Young went to work drawing up plans for an institution that would house the most notorious offenders in the nation's history. At sunrise on March 1, 1897, 300 inmates and 30 guards amrched 3 miles to the construction site located on the southwest corner of the military reservation. From sunup to sundown seven days a week in the hot kansas summer to the harsh prairie winters, inmate labored building their new home. Leavenworth's rich history as a gateway to the old west is second to none. Name a famous figuire such as George Armstrong Custer, John Joseph Pershing, Dwight D. Eisenhower, or Colin Powell. They have all graced the streets of this historic community. Equally pick a name of the most notorious criminals. George "Machine Gun" Kelly, Robert F. Stroud, Frank Nash, Frank "the enforcer" Nitti, and George "buggs" Moran--the all stopped by to "spend time in Leavenworth."
Excerpt
Looking from across Metropolitan Avenue on a cold, dreary morning after snow has fallen, the U.S. Penitentiary Leavenworth looks stoic and peaceful. However, the weather reminds those on the outside of the cold, harsh realities that lay beyond the front gate. for 110 years tourist have stood in this very spot wondering what it is like behind the massive stone walls with barred windows. Forty-three stairs lead up to the front door. To many, they are the last steps of freedom; to a few it's a job.
The authors of Savannah: Brokers, Bankers and Bay Lane: Inside the Slave Trade (Civil War Savannah), received the 2012 Award for Excellence in Research from the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board. The Award was issued by then Georgia Secretary
