Fort Harrison

The Early Years
Since the early years of the 20th Century, Fort Benjamin Harrison has played an important role in the history of Indianapolis Indiana and the United States.  In 1904, the U.S. Congress approved the purchase of land and the establishment of a military fort near Indianapolis . The commander, Lt. Col. Russell Harrison, convinced President Theodore Roosevelt to name the new fort after his grandfather, Benjamin Harrison. Construction on most of the buildings was completed in 1908.  In the early days, travel from the fort to Indianapolis was via the interurban train station. During World War I, the fort became a mobilization center for national defense and a training center for 10,000 railroad specialists.

Between the World War I and II, the fort served as a Civilian Conservation Corps center for reforestation and soil conservation work. At the onset of World War II, the fort became a Midwest induction and logistical support center.  In 1944, Italian and German prisoners of war from Rommels Afrika Korps arrived at Fort Benjamin Harrison.  The Midwest Disciplinary Barracks ultimately housed 6,200 prisoners. The fort was abandoned in 1947, but soon reopened as the Fort Benjamin Harrison Air Force Base.  In 1949, Fort Benjamin Harrison became the Administrative and Training Center for the Army. The Defense Finance Center was dedicated in 1953 and the Defense Information School in 1966.