Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City

Fort Douglas, originally named Camp Douglas, was established in October 1862 during the American Civil War to safeguard the overland mail route and telegraph lines in Utah. Situated about three miles east of Salt Lake City, this military outpost played a pivotal role in the region’s history, offering protection and support as the Union and Central Pacific railroads connected the continent at the Promontory Summit in 1869. Named after Senator Stephen A. Douglas, the fort became a National Historic Landmark in 1975, acknowledged for its contributions to both the Civil War and Utah’s development.

Colonel Patrick Connor and Union volunteers from California and Nevada first set up Camp Douglas, which served as the headquarters for the District of Utah under the Department of the Pacific. The fort’s purpose evolved over the years; in World War I, it housed German POWs, including sailors from the SMS Cormoran. Later, in World War II, it became an Army Air Field and hosted the 7th Bombardment Group with B-17 Flying Fortresses.

Following World War II, the Army gradually transferred portions of Fort Douglas to the University of Utah. In 1991, the fort officially closed as part of the BRAC process, though the Army Reserve continued operating within a small area known as the Stephen A. Douglas Armed Forces Reserve Center. In 2023, the Utah State Legislature funded the relocation of this reserve center to Camp Williams, with expected completion by 2026. Upon its relocation, the University of Utah will expand into the historic fort grounds, fostering campus growth and preserving the fort’s legacy.

Fort Douglas is also home to a military cemetery established in 1862, notable for monuments honoring soldiers from the Bear River Massacre and World War II German POWs. The cemetery remains active, with the Utah History Research Center providing a burial record database. Despite damage from the 2020 Utah windstorm, restoration efforts keep this historic resting place intact as a tribute to the fort’s enduring heritage.