Wadsworth Old Soldiers' Home and the VA

In 1884, Leavenworth was chosen as the site for a home for disabled veterans. James McGonigle was a local builder and a veteran who had been wounded in the Civil War and also designed the Riverfront Community Center in Leavenworth. At the home for disabled soldiers, McGonigle's firm constructed 17 buildings on 650 acres of land. Included among them were 13 Georgian revival buildings; Franklin Hall, a Romanesque revival mess hall and kitchen; the Ward Memorial Building; and two residential buildings for hospital employees. SOURCE: https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/leavenworth-soldiers-home/12209 

The home for veterans was under the "National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers" from 1885 to 1930. That year, the federal government organized a federal agency called the Veterans Administration. During the 20th century, a 447-bed hospital, 45-bed nursing home, and 650-bed domiciliary were built. In 1989, the VA's name nationwide was changed to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Leavenworth facility is now known as the Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In 1998, the Leavenworth and Topeka facilities were integrated to form the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System.