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FORT LEWIS
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Fort Lewis
Fort Lewis is a census-designated place and U.S. Army post located in Pierce County, Washington, United States. As of the 2000 census, the base had a total population of 19,089. The principal Fort Lewis maneuver units are U.S. I Corps, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and the the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division; all of which are constituted as Stryker brigades. It is also home to 62d Medical Brigade, the 593d Corps Support Group, the 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the 42nd Military Police Brigade, the 51st Signal Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade, the I Corps NCO Academy, Headquarters, Western Region Cadet Command, the 1st Personnel Support Group, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), 2d Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry, Headquarters, 5th Army (West).
History
Fort Lewis, named after Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition, is one of the largest and most modern military reservations in the United States. Consisting of 87,000 acres (350 km²) of prairie land cut from the glacier-flattened Nisqually Plain, it is the premier military installation in the Northwest and one of the most requested duty stations in the US Army.
Fort Lewis began as Camp Lewis in 1917 when the citizens of Pierce County voted by an eight to one margin to bond themselves for $2 million to buy 68,721 acres (278 km²) of land. They donated the land to the federal government for military use. The only stipulation was that the tract be used as a permanent Army post. Captain David L. Stone and his staff arrived at the camp site May 26,1917, and a few days later the initial construction began. The entire camp was ready for occupancy a month ahead of schedule. In 90 days, Stone had supervised the construction of a "city" of 757 buildings and 422 other structures all lighted and heated for 60,000 men. The first recruits moved into their new barracks on Sept. 5, 1917, exactly two months after the post building plan had been handed to the contractors. When they implemented auction of the new cantonment, workmen subscribed $4,000 to build the Main Gate - which is still standing. The arch was built of field stone and squared logs resembling the old block houses which stood in the Northwest as forts. Some 60,000 men,including the 91st Division, moved into the hastily constructed cantonment to train for World War I. Recruited largely from the Northwest, the 91st was considered "Washington's Own."
The following two years saw tremendous activity at Camp Lewis as men mobilized and trained for war service. Thousands of the nation's youth learned to know Camp Lewis and the state of Washington. With the conclusion of the war, activities at Lewis ground to a standstill. Camp Lewis passed from the hands of Pierce County and became the property of the Federal Government when the deed for 62,432 acres (253 km²) was recorded in the county auditor's office in Tacoma.
Brigadier General David L. Stone, who had supervised the original construction of...
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Hotels in Fort Lewis
| Washington D.C. Guided Day Tour |
6 hours |
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Don't Leave Your Tour Guide on the Bus: This is not a"hop-on/off tour" that leaves you on your own without a tour guide. Your tour guide and tour shuttle will stay with you the entire time - even when you get off to look at and hear about all the D.C. attractions.
Step off the shuttle with your guide and visit - Old Post Office, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, Freedom Park, White House.
You will also see the following sights from the Shuttle, but will not stop at the following attractions - Arlington Cemetery, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Ford's Theater, FBI Building, National Archives, Union Station, Taft Memorial, Japanese American Memorial, Capitol Office Buildings, Washington Mall, World War I Memorial. Arlington House, National Cathedral, House and Senate, National Gallery of Art, Natural History Museum, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Holocaust Museum, The Pentagon, Theodore Roosevelt Island, Kennedy Center, Watergate Complex, Georgetown University, Naval Observatory, Dupont Circle, D.C. Waterfront, Titanic Memorial, Awakening Sculpture.
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| Washington DC Evening Segway Tour |
4 hours |
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The Washington D.C. Segway Night Tour is the only way to see DC at sunset and at night. Be part of it and not stuck behind bus windows listening to boring comentary. Instead ride a Segway and you'll see DC as it was meant to be enjoyed!
Your 4 hour evening tour begin with a 40 minute training session. You'll glide first to the White House and Old Executive Office Building to see the seat of the Executive Branch.
Then it's down to the west end of the National Mall and the Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean Memorials. You'll come back along Constitution Avenue and stop to visit the new World War II Memorial in the shadow of the Washington Monument. A quick glimpse of the south lawn of the White House and you're down Constitution Avenue a little further to the National Archives - home of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and more American treasures.
You'll hear about the National Mall, Smithsonian Castle and Air and Space Museum before continuing to the east end of the Mall to see the seat of the Legislative Branch - the United States Capitol. Finally you'll return along Pennsylvania Avenue passing buildings such as the J. Edgar Hoover (FBI) building and Ford's Theatre.
Also see the National Gallery of Art, American History Museum and US Botanical Gardens all the while, of course, riding the coolest machine in the world.
All tours are limited in size with 1 guide so you can count on a great, intimate experience. Discover what it's like to be a celebrity as everyone turns to watch you glide by!
This tour is seasonal and operates between 1 April and 30 November, 2007
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| Two Day Grand Tour of Washington DC |
Flexible |
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This tour is actually two full days of tours that do not have to be taken consecutively.
The Interior of Public Buildings Tour: This all day tour of the monuments and museums highlights the famous Smithsonian Institution.
Step off the coach and visit - The White House Visitor's Center, Ford's Theatre, Petersen House, World War II Memorial, American History Museum, US Capitol (Mon-Sat) and the National Air and Space Museum.
View from the coach - the FBI Building, Federal Triangle, Ellipse, National Christmas Tree, Tidal Basin, Washington Monument, House and Senate Office Buildings, FDR Memorial, Supreme Court, Jefferson Memorial, Library of Congress, the buildings of the Legislative and Judicial Branches of the US Government, US Botanical Gardens, the National Gallery of Art, National History Museum, Hirshhorn Museum, the Castle, the National law Enforcement Officer's Memorial, US Navy Memorial and the Grant Memorial.
All Day Combination Tour:
Step off the coach and visit - Christ Church (not available during church services), Mount Vernon - George Washington's home, gardens and farm, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorials. Board Arlington Cemetery's tram to the Tomb of the Unknowns for the Changing of the Guard as well as the Kennedy Grave sites.
View from the coach - the quaint seaport of Old Town Alexandria, Fort Washington, The Pentagon, US Capitol, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, House and Senate Office Buildings, FBI, White House, Federal Triangle, Embassy Row, Georgetown, US Navy Memorial and the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
A lunch stop (not included) will be made at a Food Court.
Please Note: Access is to the White House Visitors Center only. Tours of the White House must be arranged through your Member of Congress.
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