Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Military Base

Fort Knox

Fort Knox is a U.S.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Fort Knox is a U.S. Army installation in Kentucky best known for the United States Bullion Depository. It was established in 1918 and named after Henry Knox, the first U.S. secretary of war.

What it is

Fort Knox is a major military reservation covering 172 square miles across parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It began as Camp Knox in 1918 and became a permanent post in 1932. The installation’s name honours Henry Knox, a Revolutionary War artillery commander and the first U.S. secretary of war.

Why it’s famous

The United States Bullion Depository was built at Fort Knox in 1936 to store a large portion of the nation’s gold reserves. The depository’s high security has made the name “Fort Knox” a symbol of impenetrable protection. Beyond the vault, the site has also housed training and administrative functions for the Army.

Location and size

Fort Knox lies southwest of Louisville in northern Kentucky. Its area is often reported as 172 square miles (about 109,000 acres), making it comparable to some small Canadian towns. The installation spans three counties and remains an active U.S. military base.

In short

  • Fort Knox is a U.S. Army base in Kentucky, established in 1918.
  • It houses the U.S. Bullion Depository, built in 1936 for gold reserves.
  • The installation covers about 172 square miles across three counties.
  • It is named after Henry Knox, the first U.S. secretary of war.

Quick questions

What is Fort Knox?
Fort Knox is a U.S. Army military installation in Kentucky, best known for the United States Bullion Depository.
Why is Fort Knox famous?
It is widely known for its heavily secured bullion depository, which was built in 1936 to store U.S. gold reserves.
Where is Fort Knox located?
It is in northern Kentucky, across parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties, southwest of Louisville.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fort-Knox
    Supports: Location, establishment date, original name, permanent post status, and bullion depository purpose.
  2. United States Mint — https://www.usmint.gov/about/tours-and-locations/fort-knox
    Supports: Congressional authorization and purpose of the bullion depository.
  3. MilitaryINSTALLATIONS — https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/fort-knox
    Supports: Installation size, location, and county coverage.
  4. U.S. Army — https://www.army.mil/article/289988/from_outpost_to_epicenter_a_look_back_at_108_years_of_expansion_at_fort_knox
    Supports: History of Camp Knox and naming after Henry Knox.
  5. U.S. Army — https://www.army.mil/article/283375/historic_fort_knox_the_man_behind_the_namesake_henry_knox
    Supports: Naming rationale and Henry Knox background.
  6. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Knox
    Supports: Current Army functions and acreage; used cautiously as supporting context only.