United States Military Academy - West Point, New York
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 41° 23.540 W 073° 57.436
18T E 587173 N 4582835
Rich in history dating back to the Revolutionary War, West Point, the home of the United States Military Academy is the oldest and best-known of the service schools.
Waymark Code: WM6XER
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 08/01/2009
Views: 8
The United States Military Academy was started in 1802, though West Point has been occupied by the military since 1778. West Point was the site of the Great Chain which spanned the Hudson River during the Revolutionary War to prevent the British free access along the river. It is also site which Benedict Arnold had planned to surrender to the British while he was the commander of the fort, his plot was uncovered and prevented.
The United States Military Academy is a rigorous service academy to train officers for the United States Army. Cadet who attend the academy for four years graduate with a Bachelors Degree and are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Army. The academy has rigorous admission requirements due to the physical and academic demands placed on Cadets while at the Academy.
Some of the well known graduates include Generals Ulysses S Grant and Robert E. Lee of the Civil War, Generals Douglas MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, and George Patton of World War II fame. Other graduates include LTC Edward White II, the first man to walk in space and General Westmoreland, commander American forces in Vietnam.
The grounds of the Academy used to be more open however now are more restricted. Access is now through the visitors center located at the south end of the post, in Highland Falls. The grounds are more open when events are scheduled (football games, parades etc) however access must still be obtained through the visitors center.
Name of Source Book: 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die
Page Location in Source Book: 205 -206
Type of Waymark: Site
Location of Coordinates: On walkway which crosses the Plain directly in front of Washington Hall (Cadet Dining Hall) and the Washington statue
List Available Hours, Dates, Season:
Access through visitors center. Daylight hours. More open on days of events.
Official Tourism Website: [Web Link]
Cost of Admission (Parks, Museums, etc.): Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
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