Fort Logan National Cemetery New: February 4, 2026

Fort Logan National Cemetery

Fort Logan National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in Denver, Colorado. It serves as a final resting place for thousands of military veterans and their eligible family members, reflecting the nation's commitment to honoring those who have served in the armed forces. As of recent records, the cemetery spans 214 acres and contains over 122,000 interments and growing.

Origins and the Establishment of Fort Logan

The history of Fort Logan National Cemetery is deeply intertwined with that of Fort Logan, a former U.S. Army installation. In 1886, Colorado Senator Henry M. Teller introduced a bill in Congress to authorize the construction of a military post near the growing frontier city of Denver. The bill was signed into law by President Grover Cleveland in February 1887.

The post was officially established on October 31, 1887, when troops from the 18th Infantry arrived from Fort Hays and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. They set up temporary barracks and a guardhouse while permanent facilities were a constructed. Initially referred to as "the camp near the city of Denver," the installation was officially named Fort Logan in August 1889 (some sources note April 1889 for the naming decision). The fort was named in honor of Union General John A. Logan; a prominent Civil War commander of U.S. Volunteer forces and an Illinois senator who had advocated for military infrastructure.

A small portion of the fort's land, approximately three acres was set aside in 1889 for a post cemetery. The first recorded burial occurred on June 28, 1889: Mabel Peterkin, the young daughter of Private Peterkin, a soldier stationed at Fort Logan. Early burials included soldiers serving at the fort and their family members, concentrated in what is now Section A near the intersection of Sheridan Boulevard and Kenyon Avenue.

Fort Logan operated as an active military post for decades. It functioned as a recruit depot starting in 1909 and saw various uses through World War I, the interwar period, and into World War II. Activity surged briefly in the 1930s and early 1940s, but the fort was decommissioned and closed in May 1946. Most of the land, except the cemetery area, was transferred to the State of Colorado, where much of it became the site of the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan established in 1960.

Transition to a National Cemetery

Following the closure of the military post, Congress acted to preserve and expand the cemetery. On March 10, 1950, legislation authorized the use of former Fort Logan military lands as a national cemetery, initially limiting its size to no more than 160 acres. The site officially became Fort Logan National Cemetery in 1950 and included the original post cemetery. The first interment under the status as a national cemetery took place on November 1, 1950.

Administration of the cemetery shifted over time. Like other Army-operated national cemeteries, it was transferred to the Veterans Administration, now the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), under the National Cemeteries Act of 1973. The VA has managed it since then as part of the National Cemetery Administration.

Growth and Expansion

The cemetery has expanded significantly beyond its initial allocation to meet the needs of an increasing veteran population. It grew to 214 acres through various additions, including a notable expansion in 2003. In 2019, the VA acquired an additional 49.42 acres adjacent to the south side of the existing grounds for future development, as the cemetery had reached about 94% capacity at that time.

The layout and improvements followed master plans developed during the Army era and updated by the VA around 1980. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016, recognizing its national significance in the development of military and veterans' cemeteries during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as its ties to Colorado's efforts to secure federal installations.

Interments and Notable Features

Fort Logan National Cemetery holds the remains of veterans from major American conflicts, including the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf Wars, and more recent operations. It includes sections for casket burials and cremains.

Among the notable interments are Medal of Honor recipients, Navajo Code Talkers, and other distinguished service members. One unique burial is that of a German World War II prisoner of war. The cemetery also features various monuments and memorials commemorating different branches, conflicts, and groups of veterans.

Present Day

Today, Fort Logan National Cemetery remains an active burial site and a place of reflection located in southwest Denver. It grounds are open daily and administrative offices are available during specified hours. The cemetery continues to serve the Denver-area veteran community, standing as a solemn memorial to military service and sacrifice.

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(Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs official site, History Colorado, Friends of Historic Fort Logan, Wikipedia, Colorado Encyclopedia, and related historical records. Written with the assistance of Grok AI.)

See the following links regarding the most recent expansion of the cemetery. The files are in a PDF format.

Fort Logan Cemetery, Proposed Expansion, August 6, 2018
Fort Logan Cemetery, Draft Environmental Assessment and Appendix, September 16, 2022

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