Ft. Douglas Day

On Saturday, June 16, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. visitors are invited to make the short trip up to the eastern edge of the University of Utah to celebrate Ft. Douglas Day. (The area is accessed by Red Line TRAX Ft. Douglas Station.) This year marks the 150 anniversary celebration.

On Ft. Douglas Day, enthusiasts, historians and volunteers will come together at the fort’s parade grounds to celebrate.  There will be a Civil War encampment, displays of World War I and World War II equipment and vintage cannons will be fired throughout the day.

Ft. Douglas History

Ft. Douglas was founded in 1862, by Abraham Lincoln during the U.S. Civil War. The encampment was set up to keep a watchful eye on the Mormons settling the valley below. Until it was decommissioned in 1991, the fort served as a recruiting camp, training facility and even a prison camp for German and Italian soldiers.

Regular Museum Visits

If you can’t make it to the anniversary, consider visiting the museum at another time this summer. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday noon to 5 p.m. and is free to the public. The museum houses hundreds of military pieces dating back to the Civil War, but perhaps its most famous item is the boots warn by Saddam Huessein when he was captured.

You can also enjoy something of an online tour or learn just a touch about the ghosts at Ft. Douglas in this short video clip: