Historic Walking Tour Draws Large Crowd

Photos and story by Mary Casey-Sturk

On Sunday, May 18^th, dozens of lovers of local history including long-time and newer residents gathered at the Mess Hall at Tower Park for a walking tour of the Fort and the Midway District.

Led by Fort Thomas Military and Community History Museum Director, Deanna Beineke, with an assist from the city’s Sam Shelton, the tour was part of the inaugural Northern Kentucky History Weekend.  Five nonprofit historical organizations-Ludlow Historic Society, Erlanger Elsmere Historical Society, the Kenton County Historical Society, the Behringer-Crawford Museum and Fort Thomas’ own Fort Thomas Military and Community History Museum collaborated to present several history-focused events and programs May 17-18. 

During the 90-minute tour which wrapped up at the Museum, Beineke shared amazing details about the origins of the Fort through to present-day uses of the buildings and described the impact the Fort had on creating local businesses to serve both those who lived at the Fort and visitors.

Some facts from the tour:

All the original buildings on the park grounds are on the National Historic Register and were built to a set of standardized design plans created by Assistant Quartermaster General George Pond following the Civil War and replicated several times in other areas. Fort Thomas’ Fort is the only one remaining.

The buildings were numbered as they were built. For instance, the Mess Hall is building #26. It was completed in 1891 at a cost of $20,000. Used for events and the Farmers Market today, it was used to provide meals through World War II and beyond-serving meals to soldiers that were inducted here during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War.

The Tower is building #16 and is 102 feet tall. No longer a functioning water supply, you can access it only on tours such as these. A visit to the area around the Tower allows you to see several historical markers and the bronze cannons, which were cast in Barcelona, Spain in 1768 and 1769.

The Parade Grounds (along the front of the Mess Hall) was a popular destination on weekends when people would spend a nickel riding the trolley here and spend the day. The area was beautiful (as it is today) and the first Post Commander, Colonel Cochran, who was an avid gardener, made sure it looked good (or else…). The Guard Mount (a changing of the guard ceremony) took place each day at 9 a.m. Other events people came for were football games, concerts at the Bandstand and boxing matches. Yes, while we enjoy concerts today at the Amphitheater, once folks enjoyed a lively boxing match. Not just for entertainment, boxing was good training for the soldiers. 

The houses on Pearson Street were originally built to house married “noncoms” or non-commissioned officers. Samuel Woodfill once lived in one of these houses. Built between 1889 and 1892, they cost $2,000 each to construct. That’s around $70,000 in today’s money-still a bargain! The stars on the homes are not just decorative, they are attached to ties rods that hold the structure together and keep it from bowing.

While many businesses grew near the military post, a likely popular one was Dietrich’s Garden. Located on the corner of what is now South Fort Thomas Avenue and Grandview Avenue, German immigrant Dominick Dietrich opened a saloon. It had a busy summer garden (beer garden) as well as room inside for soldiers and politicians, but according to Beineke, “not always at the same time.” Dietrich retired during Prohibition and the tavern became the Summit Lodge and is currently offices. 

To learn more about the history of Fort Thomas, visit the Museum, in addition to exhibitions on the Fort and local community, it has created a guidebook about this tour.