FORT HARRISON, Montana Community Information

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  Historical Sign

  Photo courtesy: John Ansotegui

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  Fort Building

  Photo courtesy: John Ansotegui

Fort Harrison, located three miles west of Helena, is officially known as Fort William Henry Harrison. Established in May 1892, it was originally named Fort Benjamin Harrison for the 23rd President of United States Benjamin Harrison since the establishment of the fort coincided with his term of office. However, it was discovered that a fort by that name already existed in Indiana, so in 1906 the name of the Montana post was changed to Fort William Henry Harrison. The latter Harrison was born in Virginia in 1773, joined the Army in 1791, served as the first territorial congressional delegate from the Northwest Territory in 1799 and was made governor of the Indiana Territory and later served as a U.S. representative and senator from Ohio. He became the 9th president of United States in 1840, taking the oath of office on March 4, 1841 delivering the longest inaugural address in American history in cold wet weather. He died one month after taking the office from complications from a cold. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)

The fort is now home to the Montana National Guard, US Army Reserve and US Navy Reserve. The Veterans Administration Hospital, Montana Military Museum and Service Club are also located at the fort. The Montana Military Museum is open to the public 9:00am - 4:00pm every Thursday, no admission charge.