Fort McPherson

Infobox Military Structure
name=Fort McPherson
partof=
location=East Point, Georgia


caption=Shoulder sleeve insignia and emblem of units stationed at Fort McPherson
type=Army post
built=1885
builder=
materials=
height=
used=1885-present
demolished=
condition=
ownership=
controlledby=U.S. Army
garrison=Third Army
U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC)
U.S. Army Forces Command
commanders=
occupants=
battles=
events=

Fort McPherson is a U.S. Army post located in East Point, Georgia, on the southwest edge of Atlanta. It is the home to the Third U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC), and Forces Command (FORSCOM). Named for Major General James Birdseye McPherson, the base was founded in September of 1885. The site, however, has been in use since 1835 and saw use as a Confederate post during the American Civil War. During the Reconstruction era, it was named McPherson Barracks and served as a base for federal troops occupying Atlanta. With the end of Reconstruction, the barracks were closed and sold in 1881, though the site continued to be occupied during the summers by troops stationed in Florida. In 1885, the land was again purchased by the Army to station 10 companies.

During World War I Fort McPherson was used to house German naval prisoners of war.

During the General Textile Workers Strike in 1934, the Fort was used as a detention center to hold picketers who were arrested while striking at the Newnan, Georgia mill.

Currently, 1280 active-duty soldiers are stationed at Fort McPherson in addition to 824 of the Army Reserve. Fort McPherson also employs 2391 civilians. Fort Gillem, its neighbor and sub-installation, shares several common services, morale support activities, and other activities.

The fort is served by the Lakewood/Fort McPherson MARTA train station.

Base Realignment and Closure

On May 13 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure commission recommended that this base be closed. This recommendation became law in November 9, 2005. Full closure should occur by 2011.

ee also

*List of United States Army installations
*List of United States military bases

External links

* [http://www.mcpherson.army.mil/ Fort McPherson official website]
* [http://www.forscom.army.mil/ FORSCOM official website]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/atlanta/ Atlanta, Georgia, a National Park Service "Discover Our Shared Heritage" Travel Itinerary]