Fort Hill (Frankfort, Kentucky, Kentucky)
Frankfort, Kentucky · Kentucky · Civil War
History & Significance
In September 1862, Confederate forces briefly took control of Frankfort, during which Richard Hawes was inaugurated as Confederate governor. Union forces advanced from Louisville on October 4, 1862, prompting the Confederates' withdrawal.
Recognizing the strategic importance of defending Kentucky's capital, Union authorities moved to fortify the position overlooking both the city and the Kentucky River. Construction of the first earthwork fort began in April 1863 using slave labor, civilian labor, and soldiers from the 103rd Ohio Infantry.
The two fortifications—Fort Boone (the smaller) and the larger New Redoubt—were constructed by army engineers, the 103rd Ohio Infantry, slave labor, and civilian labor. In June 1864, local militiamen lined the walls of Fort Boone and successfully fought off an attack by a detachment of General John Hunt Morgan's Confederate cavalrymen. Today, the 124-acre Leslie Morris Park at Fort Hill preserves the remains of the two Civil War earthwork forts and is owned and operated by the city of Frankfort's Parks, Recreation, and Historic Sites Department.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Preserved Civil War earthwork fortifications (Fort Boone and New Redoubt) built by 103rd Ohio Infantry
- Panoramic views of Frankfort and Kentucky River Valley from elevated promontory
- Historic site of successful 1864 Confederate cavalry raid defense
- Public park grounds with interpretive access to Civil War-era defensive structures
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Hill_(Frankfort,_Kentucky)
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=62265
- https://capitalcitymuseum.org/forthill.html
- https://www.frankfort.ky.gov/761/Leslie-Morris-Park-Fort-Hill
- https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/497