Fort Roots

 (1893-1917) - A U.S. Army post established in 1893 by Act of Congress in Pulaski County, Arkansas. Named for Bvt. Lieutenant Colonel Logan Holt Roots, Commissary, U.S. Volunteers, who died 30 May 1893. Abandoned as a U.S. Army post in 1917 and established as a post hospital.

History
The land for Fort Roots was officially traded for the land occupied by the Little Rock Arsenal in downtown Little Rock on 23 Apr 1892. Construction began in 1893 and the post was first garrisoned in 1896 by a small 4th U.S. Cavalry detachment. Construction was temporarily halted in 1898 during the Spanish-American War when the garrison was sent to Puerto Rico. Construction resumed about 1905 with three large barracks and a commanding officer's quarters built during this period.

The 1,000 acre post was built on a high bluff in North Little Rock that overlooks the city and that restricted the size of the facility. As World War I approached a larger post was needed to train the large numbers of troops that would be required. Fort Roots was converted to a hospital in May 1917 and the 6,000 acre Camp Pike was established nearby to train troops for the war. Camp Pike was later renamed Camp Joseph T. Robinson.

Fort Roots was designated a General Hospital 1 Oct 1918, a public health hospital in 1921 and became a part of the VA Hospital System 29 Apr1922.

Current Status
Part of the Veterans Administration, Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center, Pulaski County, Arkansas

Sources:
 * , page 56

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort Roots
 * Wikipedia - Fort Roots
 * Encyclopedia of Arkansas - Fort Roots