Fort McPherson
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| Image:US-DeptOfDefense-Seal.png | The information on this page may change as a result of the 2005 U.S. Base Realignment and Closure Program (BRAC 2005). |
Fort McPherson is a U.S. Army post located in East Point, Georgia, on the southwest edge of Atlanta. It is the home to the 3rd U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC), and Forces Command (FORSCOM). Named for Major General James Birdseye McPherson, the base was founded in September of 1885. The site, however, has been in use since 1835 and saw use as a Confederate post during the American Civil War. During the Reconstruction era, it was named McPherson Barracks and served as a base for federal troops occupying Atlanta. With the end of Reconstruction, the barracks were closed and sold in 1881, though the site continued to be occupied during the summers by troops stationed in Florida. In 1885, the land was again purchased by the Army to station 10 companies.
Currently, 1,524 active-duty soldiers are stationed at Fort McPherson in addition to 1,154 Army Reservist. Fort McPherson also employs 2,142 civilians. Fort Gillem, its neighbor and sub-installation, shares several common services, morale support activities, and other activities.
Base Realignment and Closure
On May 13 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure commission recommended that this base be closed. This may be subject to change by the President of the United States and the United States Congress.
