Fort Benjamin Harrison-Indianapolis - Historic Forts on Waymarking.com

Fort Benjamin Harrison was established in 1908-9 on land acquired by the US Army in northeast Indianapolis. The site contains many early 20th-century brick structures that served as officers' quarters, barracks, and administrative buildings. The attached photos illustrate the layout of the post around a large practice field or parade ground. The building pictured here is typical of the largest barracks lining the parade ground on the east. On the opposite side, substantial two-story houses served as home for officers' families.

This location along Lawton East Drive offers a vantage point from which to see the vast practice field of this early 20th-century military installation. To the east is a row of barracks, to the west, across the grounds are the officers' homes. The oldest of the buildings date to pre-World War I. Some seem to be pictured in the collection of postcards printed for soldiers to send home from this post. (visit link)

In the first decade, the Fort was the headquarters of the 10th Infantry Regiment, which was subsequently sent to Panama. With US entry into World War I, the Fort became a center for Officer Training and military engineers, among others, and total strength neared 12,000. During World War II, Fort Harrison was briefly the largest induction center in the country for army draftees. It later housed German and Italian POWs, as well as a disciplinary barracks for military prisoners.

With the end of World War II, the function of the Fort shifted toward administration, with the construction of the giant Army Finance Center, south of the waymark site, in 1951. During the 1960s, educational and records services expanded, with Schools of Personnel Support and the Defense Information. The Fort's final military deployment occurred during Operation Desert Storm. In 1991, the Base Closure Commission listed Fort Harrison, and operations began transferring to other installations.

After consolidation of its military role--only the Gen. Emmett J. Bean Center stayed open--the Fort was converted to civilian purposes. The State of Indiana acquired 1,700 acres of the property for a park and nature preserve. In 1995, Fort Harrison State Park opened, and most of the remaining buildings have been acquired by new owners. From 1994-2005, the Fort Benjamin Harrison Historical Society gathered much valuable information about the site. B & W photos here (c) Ralph D. West, IndianaMilitary.org

The year the "Fort" was constructed or started.: 1903 Name of "Country" or "Nation" that constructed this "Fort": USA Was this "Fort" involved in any armed conflicts?: Yes it was What was the primary purpose of this "Historic Fort"?: For encampment of an army Current condition: Many original buildings have been renovated as private business premises and housing This site is administered by ----: Adjacent to State Park but not public property If admission is charged -: 0.00 (listed in local currency) Open to the public?: Restricted or by appointment only. Link to web-site that best describes this "Historic Fort": [Web Link] Official or advertised web-page: Not listed Link if this "Fort" is registered on your Countries/ State "Registry of Historical Sites or Buildi: Not listed

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