First City Photo and Frames

06/17/2026

For more than a century, the United States Penitentiary has been one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Leavenworth skyline. USP was the flagship of the federal prison system and a name recognized around the world

Today, with the new federal prison about to be open, many are asking the same question: What will become of the old USP?

Will it be preserved? Repurposed? Demolished? Its future remains uncertain.

Whatever happens, the old prison has earned its place in American history. Generations of staff worked behind its walls, countless stories unfolded within its cell houses, and for many of us, the sight of the USP glowing in the darkness was simply part of life in Leavenworth.

This photograph serves as a reminder of a landmark whose next chapter has yet to be written.

06/16/2026

Since we are celebrating our hometown hero, Buffalo Bill Cody, I thought it appropriate to share a photograph or two from the final years of his legendary Wild West Show.

The combined Sells-Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill Wild West Show train winds its way down California's Cajon Pass en route to Riverside in 1915. At the time, Buffalo Bill Cody's famed Wild West exhibition had been incorporated into the Sells-Floto organization, creating one of the largest traveling entertainment shows in America. Stretching for hundreds of feet, the circus train carried performers, livestock, equipment, wagons, and entire tent cities from town to town.

The lettering on the railcars proudly announced the partnership that brought together the spectacle of the circus and the legend of the American West. Buffalo Bill was 69 years old during the 1915 season, and the show was in its final years. Less than two years later, on January 10, 1917, William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody would pass away, bringing to a close one of the most remarkable careers in American entertainment. Photographs such as this offer a rare glimpse into the closing chapter of the legendary Buffalo Bill Wild West Show as it traveled under the Sells-Floto banner.

06/15/2026

Years ago, I photographed this Army officer walking along the homes on Doniphan Drive at Fort Leavenworth, his gaze fixed on the stately brick multiplex homes. For generations, these quarters were home to hundreds of military families. Children played beneath these trees, neighbors gathered on porches, and countless officers called these homes their own while serving their country.

Today, many preservationists continue to ask what the future holds for these historic residences. Are they still on the demolition list? Or can they be saved and given new life?

Too often, historic buildings are not lost to a wrecking ball alone. They fall victim to what preservationists call "demolition by neglect"—years of deferred maintenance that slowly make preservation more difficult and demolition seem inevitable.

This photograph serves as a reminder of what once was, and perhaps, what could still be preserved for future generations.

06/12/2026

In 1990, I photographed this moment in Leavenworth history at the corner of Fourth and Cherokee.

The sign on the building tells the story. For years, the dealership had been identified with Henry Martens. On this day, the signage reflected the next generation as Tom Martens assumed leadership of the family automobile business.

It was more than a new sign. It marked the passing of the torch from father to son and the continuation of a Leavenworth institution. Looking back, I'm glad I was there with a camera to document this milestone in the life of a family business that served our community for generations.

06/11/2026

When I worked for The Leavenworth Times, I had a tough news editor, Jean Williams, and managing editor, Mary Combs. They expected a Page One photo every day, no excuses.

Whenever heavy rains caused Stranger Creek to rise out of its banks, I knew where to go. I'd head for Easton with a camera in hand, looking for the image that told the story.

This photograph was taken in June 1984 as floodwaters swallowed roads, yards, and businesses in Easton. It was one of those assignments where Mother Nature did all the talking. My job was simply to be there when the story unfolded.

More than 40 years later, the image remains a reminder of the power of Stranger Creek and the kind of local journalism that taught me to always be ready when history happened.

06/08/2026

Warning: Giving Dad a prison tour may set the bar impossibly high for future Father’s Days.

Posted on May 2, 2026May 31, 2026Behind the Walls – Your KSP Experience Step inside the historical Kansas State Penitentiary Behind these walls, time stands still. The historic Kansas State Penitentiary tour is a guided journey into the stories, spaces, and echoes of one of Kansas’ most historic...

06/04/2026

Long before automobiles filled the streets, this tree-lined Scott Avenue at Fort Leavenworth echoed with the sounds of horse-drawn carriages and the daily routines of soldiers and their families.

Restored and colorized with AI.

06/04/2026

In addition to my work at First City Photo & Frames, I also help lead tours at the historic Kansas State Penitentiary. While most people hope for sunshine, photographers often know better. When the skies turn gray and threatening, the light becomes soft, even, and incredibly dramatic—perfect for photography. I captured this image while waiting for a tour one afternoon, when the clouds rolled in and the lighting was simply too good to ignore. Sometimes the weather creates opportunities that a bright blue sky never could.

05/12/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Horizon Scholars of Leavenworth High School!

Today we recognize 29 outstanding students, along with the teachers and mentors who helped guide, encourage, and inspire them along the way. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence represent the very best of the Class of 2026.

Behind every successful student is someone who believed in them, challenged them, and helped them grow. Congratulations to each Horizon Scholar and to the educators who made a lasting difference in their journey. The future looks bright for these young leaders!

04/28/2026

The National Hotel stood proudly on the northeast corner of Fourth and Cherokee from 1885 until it was destroyed by fire in November 1963. Over the years, it welcomed many notable figures—but perhaps none more colorful than Carrie Nation, the famed prohibitionist known for her crusade against saloons.

During one of her early 20th-century visits, she set her sights on the bar at the National Hotel, intending to add it to her list of establishments “smashed” in her campaign against alcohol. But this time, things didn’t go as planned.

Inside was the owner, Fernando Mella, a local figure remembered for his easy charm—his warm smile, quick wit, and likable nature. Mella met Carrie Nation not with resistance, but with calm resolve. He reportedly got down on his knees beside her in front of the bar and began to pray.

A crowd gathered outside, pressing against the windows to watch the moment unfold.

Whether it was the sincerity of the gesture or simply the unexpected turn of events, Carrie Nation left the hotel without breaking a single piece of glass—an outcome almost unheard of during her campaigns.

As the tension lifted and the crowd dispersed, Mel stood, turned to the room, and with a grin declared that the drinks were on him.

At 307 Cherokee today sits Carrie's, a whiskey Bar, a modern nod to one of the most colorful visitors ever to walk these streets - Carrie Nation.