Fort Lewis College originated on the site of a U.S. Cavalry post established in 1880 at Hesperus. From 1891 until 1956 the old fort operated as an Indian school, a vocational high school, and a junior college. The first president of the college was Charles Dale Rea, and chiefly through his aggressive leadership the college was reconstructed here in 1956. In 1962 it became a liberal arts college operating on a trimester program and offering work leading to the bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees.