Fort Douglas facts for kids
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Fort Douglas
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Fort Douglas Military Museum, May 2022
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah |
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| Area | 25 acres (10 ha) (landmarked area) |
| Built | 1862 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000628 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHLD | May 15, 1975 |
Fort Douglas (first called Camp Douglas) was a military base set up in October 1862. This was during the American Civil War. It was built a few miles east of Salt Lake City, Utah. Its main job was to protect important mail and telegraph lines. These lines were part of the Central Overland Route.
The fort officially closed in 1991. But a small part of it is still used by the military. This part is called the Stephen A. Douglas Armed Forces Reserve Center. It might move in the next few years.
Most of the fort's land now belongs to the University of Utah. Many of its old buildings are still used by the university. The Fort Douglas Military Museum is in two of the old army buildings. Fort Douglas became a National Historic Landmark in 1975. This was because of its role in the Civil War and in helping Utah grow.
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History of Fort Douglas
Fort Douglas has a long and interesting history. It played many roles over the years.
Why Was Fort Douglas Built?
At the start of the Civil War, many soldiers left the western United States. They went to fight in the war against the Confederate States of America. This made people in the West feel less safe. Colonel Patrick Edward Connor was told to bring soldiers back to the Utah Territory. He chose a spot east of Salt Lake City.
Camp Douglas was officially started there on October 26, 1862. It was named after Senator Stephen A. Douglas. Colonel Connor's soldiers were volunteers from California and Nevada. The camp was the main base for the military in Utah.
Fort Douglas and the Railroad
After the Civil War ended in 1866, Fort Douglas became even more important. This was especially true when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads met. They joined tracks at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869. This completed the Transcontinental Railroad.
Later, thanks to Utah's U.S. Senator Thomas Kearns, the camp became a bigger military post. It was then officially renamed "Fort Douglas."
Fort Douglas During World War I
During World War I, Fort Douglas was used in a special way. It became a camp for people from Germany living in America. It also held German Navy prisoners of war. One group of prisoners was from a German ship called the SMS Cormoran. This ship had left Qingdao, China, at the start of the war. It stopped at Guam in December 1914 for supplies.
When the United States joined the war in 1917, the German crew became prisoners. They were sent to Fort Douglas.
Fort Douglas in World War II
After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Fort Douglas became an Army Air Field. It worked with the Salt Lake City Municipal Airport. It housed the 7th Bombardment Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress planes.
Later, the Army ground forces took over Fort Douglas itself. This happened because of worries about a Japanese attack on the U.S. mainland.
Fort Douglas's Later Years
After World War II, the Army started giving away its land. Much of it went to the University of Utah. The university is right next to the fort. However, the Army still kept some reserve functions there for many years.
The Fort Douglas Military Museum is in a building named after Maj. Gen. Michael B. Kauffman. He helped start the museum. He also made it one of the best military museums in the United States. It shows exhibits from all parts of the military.
On October 26, 1991, Fort Douglas officially closed. But the Utah National Guard still kept control of the museum.
Fort Douglas Today
Today, Fort Douglas is used in two main ways.
The Armed Forces Reserve Center
A small part of the old fort is still used by the U.S. Army Reserve. This area is called the Stephen A. Douglas Armed Forces Reserve Center. It is about 51 acres. It includes the historic Soldier's Circle. It also has several buildings for offices and training.
There have been talks about moving this center. This would allow the University of Utah to expand its campus. A law says the land must be given to the university for free. This will happen once the military no longer needs it.
In 2023, the Utah State Legislature set aside $100 million. This money is to help move the Reserve Center. It would move from Fort Douglas to land near Camp Williams in Bluffdale. The money will buy land and build new facilities. As of 2023, there is no set date for the move.
University of Utah Campus
In 1991, the University of Utah received a large part of the fort's land. During the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, much of the university's campus was used. The Olympic organizers and the university built the Olympic Village. This village housed the athletes. Now, these buildings are used as housing for university students.
Stilwell Field is used as a parking lot for special events. The Officers' Club building is now a conference center for the university. Some of the old officer's houses are now university departments. For example, one houses the American Indian Resource Center.
There has been some discussion about how the university takes care of the historic fort property. In 2015, it was found that old items were removed and thrown away. This happened during construction work to update the university's electrical system.
Fort Douglas Cemetery
A cemetery was started in 1862. It was about a mile south of the main parade grounds. In 1864, soldiers at the fort made the cemetery much nicer. They built a monument in the middle. It honored soldiers who died during the Bear River Massacre. They also built a red stone wall around the cemetery. It had a steel gate at the north end.
The next year, a smaller monument was added. This was for Utah Governor James D. Doty. He died and was buried in the cemetery. Later, the cemetery grew bigger. It held more burials, not just from Fort Douglas. It also took burials from Fort Cameron after it closed. A special part of the cemetery was added for German prisoners of war. They died there during World War II.
The Fort Douglas Cemetery is still an active military cemetery today. It is well cared for. You can find a list of burials through the Utah History Research Center's cemetery database. The cemetery was damaged in the 2020 Utah windstorm. Strong winds knocked down large trees. This damaged headstones and other old features of the cemetery.
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Utah
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Camp Floyd
- List of military installations in Utah
- Statue of Patrick Edward Connor
