First Territorial Capitol

A Kansas Portrait

On April 16, 1855 Governor Andrew Reeder issued a proclamation calling the territorial legislature to meet at Pawnee, Kansas on July 2. He had earlier informed the Pawnee Town Association, of which he was a member, that he would convene the session there if a suitable building was available.

Along with several other buildings, a stone warehouse was constructed which housed the first territorial capitol. The lower floor of the two story 40 x 80 foot structure was for the use of the house and the second floor was occupied by the council (or senate).

The session opened July 2, 1855 and the governor's message read on the third. His message was not well received and the pro-slavery Squatter Sovereign said nine tenths of the citizens would rather see Reeder hanging to a tree than filling the gubernatorial chair.

The primary objective of the legislature was to move to the eastern part of the state. The move, passed over Reeder's veto, was made to Shawnee Mission in present Fairway on July 16.

The First Territorial Capitol State Historic Site, administered by the Kansas Historical Society, is located on K-18 in the Fort Riley Reservation.