A Longstanding, Strategically Central Military Post

A Longstanding, Strategically Central Military Post. . , Jefferson Barracks: Built for Lifetimes of Service , In 1826, the U.S. Military abandoned Fort Bellefontaine, and instead scouted out and acquired a 1,700-acre property (now known as Jefferson Barracks) from the Village of Carondelet. The post was named in honor of President Thomas Jefferson who died that very year. It was established as a school of infantry practice and served as a departure point for the Federal Government's operations to open the Louisiana Territory and to provide protection along the Santa Fe Trail from St. Louis to California. In a few short years, Jefferson Barracks became the largest military post in the United States. Centrally located, it became the out-fitting and training center for the military effort of the western half of the United States., Increased requirements for explosive and ammunition storage prompted the War Department to allocate 110 acres of the northern section of Jefferson Barracks reservation for the use of the St. Louis Arsenal. The Ordnance Department sought bids for the construction of a laborers' house, a powder magazine, and a keeper's house. A contract was signed on May 30, 1851, with Master Builder Francis A. Quinette of St. Louis., The Visitors' Center started out as an Ordnance Barn around 1878. After World War I, the building was used as a tank repair station. During World War II, it functioned as a "Visitors' House at the Reception Center" where families would come to witness their loved ones' induction into one of the branches of service. Over the years, the building has had several identities. It once served as the "Red and Rose Tavern," and as a St. Louis County Police Station. In 1983, The Friends of Jefferson Barracks was organized. From 2000-2003, the restoration of the Park's Visitor Center, which had been reduced to its stone basement by the Army, became the organization's top priority. , Keeping the Powder Dry , East and south on Bagby, two remaining limestone powder magazines now serve as museums. The Old Ordnance Room was the first of the two buildings built in Jefferson Barracks to store gunpowder. , The Powder Magazine was built in 1857 to store rifles, cannons, gunpowder, and prepared ammunition. The building was constructed with thick limestone walls, an arched ceiling, and a wooden floor. The strategy behind the architecture was that if the gunpowder accidentally exploded, it would take the path of least resistance, blowing through the wooden floor. The concussion from the blast would cause each arch to fall, ultimately smothering any fire. Over the years, the walls and roof remained intact, rendering the building usable. It now houses a museum., A Wartime Diversion , During the 1940s, baseball was played, rain or shine, by the Reception Center Missions in the field directly behind this location. A galaxy of volunteer enlistment, big league players composed the team. In the inaugural game in April, 1942, the Jefferson Barracks Reception Center beat the University of Illinois 9-5.