Fort Riley Friday 409 Pershing Ave [Image 7 of 10]

FORT RILEY, KS, UNITED STATES

04.24.2020

Photo by Scott A Rhodes 

Fort Riley Public Affairs Office

This #FortRileyFriday we continue our look at facilities built to support activities around the old Artillery Post.

Building 409 Pershing Avenue opened in 1889 as an Artillery Barracks with a capacity of 162 men.

It was constructed with #limestone walls and foundation, a slate roof and wooden floors. A two level addition was constructed on the west side of the building in 1911

According to the Army Corps of Engineers, building 409 was named Gillis Hall in honor of Army Chief Quartermaster MAJ James Gillis. MAJ Gillis is partially responsible for the decision to construct separate posts for the cavalry and artillery at #FortRiley.

#FortRiley Directorate of Public Works (DPW) maintenance documents show that by 1930 building 409 had been redesignated as a Cavalry Barracks after the Artillery School at Fort Riley was discontinued following World War I.

Recently, 409 Pershing was home to Fort Riley’s Logistics Readiness Center. Building 409 is currently under renovation to become the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Call Center on post.

Pictured top: 409 Pershing in 1930 (left) and as it appears (right); middle: bldg. 409 addition in 1930 (left) and today (right); bottom: bldg. 409 undergoing renovation.

• Date Taken: 04.24.2020
• Date Posted: 01.23.2024 14:37
• Photo ID: 8207366
• VIRIN: 200424-A-YH536-1001
• Resolution: 843x843
• Size: 169.7 KB
• Location: FORT RILEY, KS, US