Jefferson Barracks

Since it was founded in 1826, Jefferson Barracks has stood for nearly two centuries as a symbol for many aspects of America's history. Many explorative expeditions in the 19th century launched from Jefferson Barracks, an iconic gateway to the West during the country's expansion. A training ground for new programs, Jefferson Barracks was the home of America's first permanent Dragoons (later the United States Cavalry), first School of Infantry, and first regiment of buffalo soldiers. The largest induction and mustering-out center during both the First and Second World Wars, it housed and trained a myriad of soldiers before and after their deployments. Now the home of the Missouri Air National Guard, a Veterans Administration hospital, Jefferson Barracks Historic Park, a national cemetery, and a growing museum district, Jefferson Barracks is preserving its place in history as well as serving toward America's future. The historic images in this book illustrate a rich history of Jefferson Barracks through some of its citizen soldiers--famous and not--and through the incidents that made it an American icon.

Sandie Grassino, a retired educator, is a local historian and writer. Maj. (Ret.) Art Schuermann is currently the historic preservation officer for Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Station. This is their first book together.