Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN

I love bridges.

To me, they represent our determination to get from one place to another – even when it shouldn’t be possible. A “bridge to nowhere?” There’s no such thing! The top photo is a rail road bridge outside of Denali National Park in Alaska. The bridge to the right is outside Fort Harrison State Park right here in Indianapolis!

Fort Harrison homes

Fort Harrison State Park, along with the Fort Golf Course, occupies a good-sized chunk of the northeastern sector of Indianapolis. It has quite a history; it was constructed in 1908 as a commissioned United States Army post named Fort Benjamin Harrison (sometimes affectionately known as "Fort Ben").

Fort Harrison was best known as the nation's largest reception center during the Second World War. For the two years between 1948 and 1950, it belonged to the U.S. Air Force, which used the fort as a functional air force base, after which the Army reacquired it.

During the years that followed, Fort Benjamin Harrison became the central training school for all the branches of U.S. military, with the Defense Information School (DINFOS) at its core. This school, now in Maryland, disseminates information to personnel through its highly specialized and demanding curriculum.

After its closure in 1991, Fort Harrison was renovated and transformed into what is now a major Indianapolis attraction: Fort Harrison State Park. Although a full 18-hole golf course is located within its green expanses as well as many residential areas, there still exist several vestiges of the old Armed Forces days in Fort Harrison. Indiana National Guard units, U.S. Army Reserve units, a Post Exchange and Commissary and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service are all located at Fort Harrison State Park.

Fort Harrison State Park is now comprised of 1,700 acres of well cared for, meticulously regenerated parklands, water parks, preserves, trails, picnic areas and buildings. There is a nominal entry fee, depending on the manner of entrance and the age, with discounts for groups and seniors and annual permits that allow a full year's entrance.

One of the unique attributes of this Indianapolis park is that it contains an enormous unbroken tract of hardwood trees, one of the largest such in Central Indiana. Other characteristics that make Fort Harrison State Park attractive are its lakes and waterways, which allow for fishing, hiking and picnicking. For Harrison State Park even sports a brand new nature center and guided hiking with well-trained naturalists who share fascinating facts along the way.

For more information on Fort Harrison State Park, please visit the park's homepage.

Fort Harrison State Park
5753 Glenn Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46216
Phone: 317.591.0904
Golf Course: 317.543.9597
Lodging: 317.543.9592

Once an active military post, historic Fort Harrison is now home to a state park, world-class golf course and some of the most beautiful and unique Indianapolis real estate you'll find!

The Early Years
Fort Benjamin Harrison has played an important role in the history of Indianapolis Indiana and the United States since the early years of the 20th century. In 1904, the U.S. Congress approved the purchase of land and the establishment of a military fort about 12 miles northeast of Indianapolis. The fort was named for the 23^rd United States president and Indiana native, Benjamin Harrison. Construction on most of the buildings was completed in 1908. In the early days, travel from the fort to Indianapolis was via the interurban train station. During World War I, the fort became a mobilization center for national defense and a training center for 10,000 railroad specialists.

Between the World War I and II, the fort served as a Civilian Conservation Corps center for reforestation and soil conservation work. At the onset of World War II, the fort became a Midwest induction and logistical support center. In 1944, Italian and German prisoners of war from Rommels Afrika Korps arrived for detention at Fort Benjamin Harrison. The Midwest Disciplinary Barracks ultimately housed 6,200 prisoners. The fort was abandoned in 1947, but soon reopened as the Fort Benjamin Harrison Air Force Base. In 1949, Fort Benjamin Harrison became the Administrative and Training Center for the Army. The Defense Finance Center was dedicated in 1953 and the Defense Information School in 1966.

Today
Fort Harrison real estate is like nothing else in the Indianapolis area. Many of the charming residences, which were once home to military families, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wide wrap-around porches, elegant moldings, exposed brick walls, built-in bookcases and cabinets, and a fireplace in every room are just some of the historic features of Fort Harrison homes. Most of these properties have been recently restored to include all the modern amenities buyers want without compromising the vintage beauty of the homes. And don't forget the view of the 42-acre parade field!

Although the fort is now known simply as Fort Harrison and is no longer an active military post, it continues to serve as the location for Defense Finance and Accounting Services, which manages payroll and services for the men and women serving in our nation's armed forces. It is also home to a state park where visitors can enjoy horseback riding, miles of public hiking trails, and a championship golf course.

For more information on Fort Harrison and Indianapolis homes for sale, contact your Indianapolis REALTOR®:

Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI

Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty

317.840.7555

Pat@HaddadTeam.com

For Homebuyers & Homesellers

You might be surprised that you qualify!!

LAWRENCE LIBRARY

7898 Hague Road

Indianapolis, IN

Thursday, January 14, 7:00 pm

OR

Saturday, January 23, 11:00 am

LIMITED SPACE, RSVP TODAY

(317) 374-2462 or

www.billfoxworthy.com

Use the "RSVP for Tax Seminar$" button

by Aimee Rush Holden, Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty

The vision of Family Fun Planner, a perfect fall day in Indianapolis IN, Nostalgic Husband, Surly Teen, Eager Dog, and a $5 entry fee were all the ingredients necessary for a recent fun (for most of us anyway) family outing at Fort Harrison State Park.Fort Harrison State Park Indianapolis IN

The early afternoon outing started off a bit shaky, with Nostalgic Husband silently wondering what the odds were of him returning home in time for at least part of the Colts game, and Surly Teen loudly questioning her parents’ sanity—yet again. Eager Dog, it seemed, was the only willing participant.

Undeterred, I, Family Fun Planner, printed off a park map (no Blair Witch Project moments for this family), packed up some water bottles and off we went.

To say the day was spectacular is an understatement. Not a cloud in the sky and a perfect 71 degrees. The trees had already shed most of their leaves, and a gorgeous orange and yellow carpet covered the forest floor. Apparently I wasn’t the only Family Fun Planner who thought a day in the woods was a good idea. Hikers, walkers, cyclists and runners were everywhere!

We started off on a paved path that wound through a pretty grove of black walnut trees, but ended after about a quarter mile at the park’s edge. After turning around, we discovered the entrance to the Lawrence Creek Trail, an unpaved 2-mile trail of moderate difficulty. This was more like it!

“Why are we sprinting?” griped Surly Teen from the back of the pack. “I just want to enjoy myself and look at nature.” Hmmm. Strolling through life. Maybe that explains the 7 tardies already accrued this school year… Her interest piqued momentarily a few minutes later when an apparently stray dog bounded by us. Visions of rescuing him danced through her head, and then were dashed when his owner came around the corner. Crisis averted!

“If there was a sniper firing from the woods on your right and I yelled out, ‘6 o’clock, 300 yards,’ what would you do?” quizzed Nostalgic Husband (who coincidentally also happens to be Recently-Retired Army Guy). Umm, run? Hit the dirt? Run, it turns out, was the correct answer since the intent was for us scatter, then meet up again in a "safe" spot. More specifically, we learned that we should run toward the 6, if you picture the forest as a huge clock. We’re still unclear on how to determine the 300 yards and fuzzier still about how we would actually remember any of that while under fire, but even Surly Teen seemed interested in the stories of her dad’s glory days as an Infantry leader.

“Oh, this tree trunk, it smells divine! The fragrance emanating from this patch of grass is amazing! How I love the scent created when approximately 5,000 dogs pee in the exact same spot! Would it kill them to let me roll in it just a little bit?” Eager Dog was in heaven!

As for me, Family Fun Planner, I was excited by our Wildlife Watch contest, which yielded the back end of a white-tailed deer, a huge red-tailed hawk and the biggest squirrel I’ve ever seen. Oh, and butterflies everywhere!

All in all, I’ll tally the adventure in the success column. We even made it home for the Colts kickoff. We’ll definitely do it again, and maybe next time we’ll get to drag Cool College Kid along!

For more information on Fort Harrison State Park, visit www.in.gov/dnr.

For information on Indianapolis real estate, visit www.HaddadTeam.com or contact your Indianapolis REALTOR:

Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI
Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty
317-840-7555
Pat@HaddadTeam.com