Newport Barracks

Newport Barracks dominated the Northern Kentucky riverfront in the 19th century. In 1803, Newport founder James Taylor convinced his cousin James Madison, the Secretary of State, to lobby President Thomas Jefferson to locate the military post in his fledgling settlement. Taylor donated six acres of land for the Western Arsenal and Barracks, supervised the initial construction, and acted as army paymaster. The barracks served as a staging area for William Henry Harrison's troops in the War of 1812. As a recruiting depot, it supplied soldiers for the Texas War in 1836 and the Mexican-American War in 1845. Under the command of Nathaniel Macrae from 1841-1852, the barracks was enlarged and improved. During the Civil War, the barracks processed recruits, guarded Confederate sympathizers, and cared for the wounded from both sides. Devastating floods in 1883 and 1884 caused the Army to move to Fort Thomas, southeast of Newport.

Newport, Kentucky · United States