Leslie Morris Park on Fort Hill

On top of a hill overlooking downtown Frankfort is Leslie Morris Park on Fort Hill. The park features a pair of Civil War forts, a picnic pavilion, hiking trails and more. Once known as Blanton’s Hill for the family that owned the property, it was the site where local militia held off an attack on Frankfort by the Confederate cavalry raiders in 1864.

The Army abandoned the site following the Civil War and it sat dormant until 1999 when it was developed and reopened as a park. The city of Frankfort purchased the proper from Leslie Morris, thus the park’s name. The park now preserves the remains of two Civil War forts. Surrounding the forts are 124 acres of forest.

Visitors to the park will notice dry-laid stone fences and a wide range of wildlife. There is a 19th century trail that leads from downtown Frankfort to the park that is virtually unchanged. A dog trot style log house built in northern Franklin County around 1810 has been moved to the park. It is being renovated to house exhibits about Fort Hill. Interpretive markers are scattered throughout the park.

Kentucky Tourism website, accessed July 11, 2016. http://www.kentuckytourism.com/leslie-morris-park-on-fort-hill/1607/ Capital City Museum website, accessed July 11, 2016. http://www.capitalcitymuseum.com/html/fort_hill.html