In the early 1900s, when the country was still expanding out west. Before the widespread use of the automobile and aircraft, the Army still used horses to move around the battlefield. In order to train these horsemen, the Army used riding halls. Sometimes, of course, the training was conducted outside. However, when it was cold weather or wet weather, the Army could still maintain its fighting edge through these halls. At one time, the Fort Leavenworth riding hall was built to be the largest riding hall in the Army and designed to be 330 feet long by 100 feet wide. (Army and Navy Life 1907, p438) There they would teach riding, saddling, grooming, and shoeing among other skills needed to use horses in the military environment. The Fort Leavenworth Riding Hall was used from 1908 until 1941.
The large building sits roughly a hundred yards from the old stables where the Soldiers and Officers could walk their horses up the hill for an indoor workout. Through the main doors, it can still be seen the barn doors for riding into the hall. Also visible are the large windows used for ventilation.
The building has been converted into a gym for physical fitness. There have been slight modifications made on the structure through the years on the surrounding walls, but for the most part the original structure looks the same as it did when it was built. It sits impressively in the middle of a large field near the housing area built in the same area. This area was undoubtedly the main area of post before times changed and the post expanded for different reasons through the years.
There still remains a sign placed by the Garrison Office remind people of the history contained within its walls.