Leslie Morris Park (Fort Hill)

400 Clifton Avenue

Frankfort, KY 40601 (MAP IT HERE)

Historic Civil War Forts / Visitor & Interpretive Center / Hiking / Guided & Self Guided Tours / Picnic Shelter / Historic Cemetery / Scenic Overlook / Wildlife Viewing

Park Overview

Leslie Morris Park on Fort Hill features two Civil War earthen forts, the Sullivan House visitor / interpretive center, the Gippy Graham picnic pavilion, a scenic downtown Frankfort overlook and several hiking trails, paved and natural single track surface. The park is open to vehicular traffic year round, daylight to dusk. The park is a very significant historic park for the city of Frankfort as it played a crucial role locally in the civil war and was a major reason the capitol of Kentucky remained in Frankfort.

Brief History of Fort Hill

In 1864, local militia soldiers repulsed an attack on Frankfort by the Confederate cavalry raiders from Fort Boone, one of the two earthwork forts located on the hill. Known locally as "Fort Hill," this historic site and wilderness area is perched on a high hill overlooking downtown Frankfort. During the 19th century, the hill was known as Blanton's Hill for the family that owned the hilltop. By the middle of the 20th century efforts began to develop the site as a historic park. Many development plans were proposed but rejected, and the park did not open until 1999. Now the Leslie W. Morris Park on Fort Hill, named for the property owner from whom the city of Frankfort acquired the land, offers a historic area around Fort Boone and the New Redoubt, as well as acres of wilderness and meadows right in the middle of Frankfort--Kentucky's capital city.

Guided and Self Tours

Free guided tours of the park are available from Tuesday - Saturday, May - September (subject to change). Tours run at 10 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, tours are additionally offered at 5 pm. Reservations are recommended but not required. Reserve your tour through CivicRec here. Additional tour info here.

Park Maps

For park hiking and interpretive trail maps, CLICK HERE.

Shelter Reservation

Reserve the Gippy Graham Shelter online through CivicRec. Or contact 502-875-8575 or email parksinfo@frankfort.ky.gov.

Further Information & Contact

For more information concerning the history of Fort Hill, please visit the Capitol City Museum's website here. Or contact the museum at 502-696-0607 or email citymuseum@frankfort.ky.gov.