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Fort Oglethorpe, GA

Frequently asked questions

Fort Oglethorpe, GA

Fort Oglethorpe is a city predominantly in Catoosa County with some portions in Walker County in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 10,423. It is part of the Chattanooga, TN–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is home to Lakeview – Fort Oglethorpe High School.

The United States Army established a cavalry post at the site of Hargrave, Georgia, an unincorporated town situated next to the Chickamauga National Battlefield. The existing settlement was named for a Confederate soldier, William Hamilton Hargrave, who along with his wife Amelia Cecilia Strange-Hargrave owned most of the land in the area. The couple was well known in the 19th century to travelers heading to Ross's Landing on the Tennessee River from LaFayette, Georgia. William Hargrave and other landowners in the area were forced to sell their property to the Army to be used as a base for the 6th Cavalry. The Chickamauga Post established in 1902 by the U.S. Army was later named Fort Oglethorpe after James Oglethorpe, the founder of the Colony of Georgia. During and after World War I, the fort served between 1917 and 1920 as a detention camp for civilian internees and prisoners of war. During World War II, the area served as a wartime induction and processing center and again housed prisoners of war. Fort Oglethorpe was a major training center for the Women's Army Corps during World War II. The post land was declared surplus in 1947 and returned to civilian hands, forming the nucleus for a town that was incorporated in 1949.

Fort Oglethorpe is located in western Catoosa County and northeastern Walker County at 34°56′44″N 85°14′44″W (34.945683, -85.245653). It is 9 miles (14 km) south of Chattanooga, Tennessee, by U.S. Route 27, which also leads south 18 miles (29 km) to LaFayette, Georgia. The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park takes up the southern two-thirds of the city's area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.9 square miles (36.0 km²), all land.

Health and wellness are prioritized in Fort Oglethorpe, with facilities and initiatives dedicated to residents' well-being. The CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia serves the community's healthcare needs, providing essential services and fostering a healthy living environment. The Rock Fitness Center and Planet Fitness are popular gyms providing comprehensive fitness programs and equipment for all workout levels. For a unique fitness experience, Core One Fitness delivers tailored fitness solutions. Those seeking outdoor activities can explore the scenic trails at Chickamauga And Chattanooga National Military Park. For holistic health, Rising Fawn Gardens hosts the Day Yogaaah Retreat, offering yoga and meditation workshops.

Top sites in Fort Oglethorpe, GA include Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center, Rock City Gardens.

Population: 10,584 (2021). Elevation: 700 ft (213 m). Area: 13.90 sq mi (36.00 km²). ZIP Code: 30742. Area code: 706.

FAQs

What is the history of Fort Oglethorpe, GA?

The United States Army established a cavalry post at the site of Hargrave, Georgia, an unincorporated town situated next to the Chickamauga National Battlefield. The existing settlement was named for a Confederate soldier, William Hamilton Hargrave, who along with his wife Amelia Cecilia Strange-Hargrave owned most of the land in the area. The couple was well known in the 19th century to travelers heading to Ross's Landing on the Tennessee River from LaFayette, Georgia. 

Is Fort Oglethorpe, GA a military base?

During and after World War I, the fort served between 1917 and 1920 as a detention camp for civilian internees and prisoners of war. During World War II, the area served as a wartime induction and processing center and again housed prisoners of war. Fort Oglethorpe was a major training center for the Women's Army Corps during World War II. The post land was declared surplus in 1947 and returned to civilian hands, forming the nucleus for a town that was incorporated in 1949.

What county is Fort Oglethorpe, GA?

Fort Oglethorpe is a city predominantly in Catoosa County with some portions in Walker County in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 10,423. It is part of the Chattanooga, TN–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is home to Lakeview – Fort Oglethorpe High School.

Sources

City of Fort Oglethorpe

Wikipedia

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center

Rock City Gardens. 

CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia

Rock Fitness Center

Planet Fitness

Core One Fitness

Chickamauga And Chattanooga National Military Park

Rising Fawn Gardens 

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