Fort Belvoir, VA

• Origins as Camp A.A. Humphreys: Fort Belvoir was originally established as Camp A.A. Humphreys in 1917, named after Civil War Union General Andrew A. Humphreys. It was created to train engineers during World War I. • Renamed in 1935: In 1935, the post was renamed Fort Belvoir, after the historic Belvoir plantation that once existed on the site, belonging to the Fairfax family in the 18th century. • Role in WWII: During World War II, Fort Belvoir served as the primary training center for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, training more than 140,000 troops. • Site of the Engineer School: The U.S. Army Engineer School was based at Fort Belvoir from 1918 until 1988, when it relocated to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. • Home to Multiple Agencies: Today, Fort Belvoir hosts over 145 mission partners and tenant agencies, including the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. • Historic Belvoir Mansion Ruins: The ruins of the original Belvoir Mansion, which burned down in 1783, are preserved on the installation and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. • Notable Residents: The Belvoir plantation was once home to Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, a prominent British peer and friend of George Washington. • Major BRAC Expansion: As part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), Fort Belvoir underwent massive expansion, making it one of the largest employers in Northern Virginia. • Mysterious Tunnels: Rumors persist about a network of secret underground tunnels beneath Fort Belvoir, allegedly used for training and secure movement during the Cold War. • Environmental Stewardship: Fort Belvoir manages over 8,600 acres, including wetlands, forests, and the Potomac River shoreline, making it a leader in environmental protection and archaeological preservation in the Army.