the first session of the legislature was held in pawnee, kansas (within the boundary of modern-day fort riley) at the request of governor reeder. he chose it for several reasons, not the least of which was he was an investor in the city. the two-story stone building still stands and is open to the public as the first territorial capitol of kansas. the building remained as the seat of the legislature for five days from july 2–6, 1855, then moved nearer missouri to the shawnee methodist mission.