| Fort Logan | |
|---|---|
| Denver, Colorado | |
 Graves at Fort Logan National Cemetery on the site of the old Fort Logan burial grounds. | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Fort |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 39°38′38″N105°02′38″W / 39.644°N 105.044°W /39.644; -105.044 |
| Site history | |
| Built | 31 October 1887 (1887-10-31)[1] |
| Built by | United States Army |
| In use | 1887 – 1946 |
| Fate | 75 Acres became Fort Logan National Cemetery, much of the remainder given to Colorado Mental Health Institute |
Fort Logan was a military installation located eight miles southwest ofDenver, Colorado. It was established in October 1887, when the first soldiers camped on the land, and lasted until 1946, when it was closed following the end ofWorld War II.[2] After the fort closed the site was used as a mental health center and part of the land was set aside for theFort Logan National Cemetery.[1]
Initially namedFort Sheridan, in 1889 the fort was named after Union GeneralJohn A. Logan, commander of US Volunteer forces during theAmerican Civil War.[3][4]
Toward the end of the 19th century, conflicts between Native Americans and expanding American interests were becoming less common. TheUnited States Army began looking to cut costs by closing isolatedfrontier forts and start using the railroads to transport troops and supplies.
Denver citizens were concerned about their safety due to the influx of settlers from the east. They petitioned theUnited States Army to build a post. Colorado SenatorHenry M. Teller introduced a bill in Congress 1886 for construction of a post, which was signed in February 1887.[5] The fort, originally known as "the camp near the city of Denver" first housed members of the18th Infantry fromLeavenworth, Kansas andFort Hays, who arrived in October 1887.[1] They established a temporary barracks and guardhouse while permanent buildings were constructed.[5] Initially, the post responded to local civil and labor disputes.[6]
The camp was a treeless plateau located about eight miles southwest of the city. Unofficially the local citizens began to refer to it as "Fort Sheridan" after GeneralPhilip Sheridan who had selected the site. Sheridan preferred having his name associated with a fort north of Chicago and on 5 April 1889, had the camp designated "Fort Logan" afterJohn Alexander Logan, who led Union Army volunteer forces during the Civil War.[1] Logan was the head of the post-war organizationGrand Army of the Republic and issued General Orders No. 11, establishing May 30 as "Decoration Day", now calledMemorial Day, to honor the Civil War dead.[5] In 1889, the town ofFort Logan was established that included the base and surrounding land.[7]
A three-acre cemetery was established in 1889. The first recorded burial was for Mable Peterkin, daughter of Private Peterkin, who died on June 28, 1889.[5]
This new "urban-type" fort began construction quickly, though the final buildings were not completed until 1897. The fort had a parade ground and quarters, including the 1888 building for Field Officer's Quarters byFrank J. Godavent which still stands today and was restored in 2009.[8] As infantry barracks were completed, the7th Infantry leftFort Laramie, Wyoming, and made Fort Logan their permanent home.[1][9] In 1894, the first cavalry units were posted to Fort Logan and remained until 1904.[10]
Troops from Fort Logan participated in military actions right from the start. In December 1890, troops were deployed toSouth Dakota to interceptSioux tribal bands. In 1894 troops were called in to quell civil strife resulting from GovernorDavis Hanson Waite'ssiege of city hall. Later in the year they were deployed south during thePullman Strike. Units from Fort Logan also participated in the 1898Spanish–American War.[1][6]
In 1908 the site added 340 acres, bringing their total to 940 acres. In 1909 the fort was reduced to a recruit depot and continued in that role until 1922,[5] when the 38th Infantry was garrisoned at the post.
It was the only major military post in Colorado duringWorld War I.[6]
In 1927 an Engineering unit occupied Fort Logan and made major updates to the site during theGreat Depression.[1]
On 1 March 1941, theArmy Air Corps moved an Army Air Forces Clerical School to Fort Logan fromLowry Army Airfield.[11][12][13] Thus the installation came under the control ofWestern Technical Training Command. In 1942 the Administrative Inspector School was opened which trainedair inspectors.[14][15] In April 1944, Fort Logan was transferred from theWestern Technical Training Command to the AAFAir Service Command for training injured soldiers in civilian trades.[16] In addition the fort was briefly used as aprisoner of war camp in 1943 and 1944. After the war the fort was declared surplus and negotiating over what to do with the land commenced.[1] It was closed in May 1946.[5]
Some land was sold, 75 acres (including the burial ground) were set aside for theFort Logan National Cemetery, and the rest was donated to the state of Colorado. The state used the site as a mental health center and the first patients were admitted in 1961. In 1991 the center was renamed to the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan.[1]
When the post was no longer required, some of the land was used for creation of theFort Logan National Cemetery in 1949. AQueen Anne style officer's quarters building was made into a museum. Most of the land was donated in 1960 to the state of Colorado was used for the Fort Logan Mental Health Center.[3][6]
To clear Lowry for armament and photographic training expansion, the Air Corps secured Fort Logan, Colorado, and moved its clerical course there in March 1941.
Pvt. Johnny Bunardzya ... is attending the Army Air Forces' clerical school at Fort Logan, Colo.
In August 1942, [Cornelius J. Mara] was named commandant of the Administrative Inspector School at Fort Logan, Colo.
A new chapter in the 57-year-old history of Fort Logan will begin at midnight Friday when the army air service command will take over the post from the army air forces western technical command, which has operated it since 1 March 1941, as a clerical school. Under the air service command, Fort Logan will become a center for the training of convalescent air force service men returning from overseas.
A handsome silk flag ... was raised with appropriate ceremony in the presence of guests. Bugles from Ft. Logan and the Colorado Springs Band took part in the ceremony. (photo caption)
| Flying training |
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| Technical training | ||||||
| Overview | |||||||||
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| Trading posts and civilian forts |
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| U.S. and Spanish military forts |
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