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Fort Knox

Fort Knox is a U.S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Fort Knox is a major U.S. Army installation in northern Kentucky, spanning parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It is best known for housing the United States Bullion Depository, which stores a large portion of the nation’s gold reserves. The installation was established in 1918 as Camp Knox and renamed in honour of Henry Knox, the first U.S. secretary of war.

History

Fort Knox began as Camp Knox in 1918 and was renamed and made a permanent post in 1932. It was named in honour of Henry Knox, a Revolutionary War artillery commander and the first U.S. secretary of war.

U.S. Bullion Depository

The United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox was built in 1936 to store the country’s precious-metal bullion reserves. It is the installation’s best-known feature and the source of its reputation for high security.

Military role

Beyond the bullion vault, Fort Knox has served as a major Army reservation and training site. Sources note that it has housed Army human resources functions and other military facilities over time.

Location and size

Fort Knox lies southwest of Louisville in Kentucky and spans parts of three counties. Reported area figures place the installation at about 172 square miles or 109,000 acres.

Key facts

  • Fort Knox is a major U.S. military reservation in northern Kentucky.
  • Established in 1918 as Camp Knox, it became a permanent post in 1932.
  • Named after Henry Knox, the first U.S. secretary of war.
  • The U.S. Bullion Depository was built there in 1936 to store part of the nation’s gold reserves.
  • Fort Knox covers about 109,000 acres (roughly 170 square miles).

Frequently asked questions

What is Fort Knox?
Fort Knox is a U.S. Army military installation in Kentucky, best known for the United States Bullion Depository.
When was Fort Knox established?
It was established in 1918 as Camp Knox and became a permanent military post in 1932.
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.
Who is Fort Knox named after?
It is named after Henry Knox, the first U.S. secretary of war.
Where is Fort Knox located?
It is located in northern Kentucky, across parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties, southwest of Louisville.

References

  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.