Roger S. Durham

Carlisle Barracks (Images of America) Roger S. Durham

Carlisle Barracks was established by the British Army in 1757 to support operations against the French during the French and Indian War. During the Revolutionary War, the post supported Washington's army against the British. After the post was burned by Confederate forces during the Civil War, it was rebuilt and served as the U. S. Army's Cavalry School until 1871, when the post was closed. In 1879, the Carlisle Indian Industrial School opened at the post to educate Native American children. This school operated until 1918, when the U. S. Army resumed control of the post and opened a hospital to care for wounded World War I soldiers. The U. S. Army Field Medical School opened there in 1920 and remained until that function was relocated in 1946. In 1951, the U. S. Army War College moved to Carlisle Barracks, where it remains. Using vintage photographs, Carlisle Barracks chronicles how for more than 250 years this post has supported military operations and training and continues to do so today.