FORT CARSON Fort Carson is a United States Army installation located near Colorado Springs, primarily in El Paso County, Colorado. It is 40 miles (64 km) north of Pueblo, Colorado in Pueblo County. The 137,000 acre (570 km²) installation extends south into Pueblo and Fremont counties. The portion of the installation located within El Paso County forms a census-designated place (CDP), which had a population of 10,566 at the 2000 census.[1] Fort Carson is the home of the 4th Infantry Division, the 10th Special Forces Group, the 71st Ordnance Group (EOD), the 4th Engineer Battalion, the 759th Military Police Battalion, the 10th Combat Support Hospital, the 43rd Sustainment Brigade, and the 13th Air Support Operations Squadron of the United States Air Force. The post also hosts units of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve and the Colorado Army National Guard. Fort Carson was established in 1942, following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The city of Colorado Springs, Colorado purchased land south of the city and donated it to the War Department. Construction began immediately and the first building, the camp headquarters, was completed January 31, 1942. Camp Carson was named in honor of the legendary Army scout, General Christopher "Kit" Carson, who explored much of the West in the 1800s. Training on a 37 mm anti-tank gun at Camp Carson At the construction's peak, nearly 11,500 workers were employed on various construction projects at the new camp. Facilities were provided for 35,173 enlisted men, 1,818 officers and 592 nurses. Nearly all of the buildings were of mobilization type construction, with wood sided exteriors. The hospital complex was constructed of concrete block, and considered to be semi-permanent, and had space for 1,726 beds, expandable to 2,000 beds. The 89th Infantry Division was the first major unit to be activated at Camp Carson. During World War II, over 100,000 soldiers trained at Camp Carson. Along with three other infantry divisions – the 71st Infantry Division, 104th Infantry Division and 10th Mountain Division–more than 125 units were activated at Camp Carson and more than 100 others were transferred to the Mountain post from other installations. Nurses, cooks, mule packers, tank battalions, a Greek infantry battalion, and an Italian ordnance company trained at Camp Carson during the war years. Camp Carson was also home to nearly 9,000 Axis prisoners of war – mostly Italians and Germans. The internment camp at Camp Carson opened on the first day of 1943. These POWs alleviated the manpower shortage in Colorado by doing general farm work, canning tomatoes, cutting corn, and aiding in logging operations on Colorado's Western Slope. Between 1942 and 1956, pack mules were a common sight at Camp Carson. The first shipment arrived by train from Nebraska in July 1942. The mules were used by Field Artillery (Pack) battalions to carry equipment, weapons and supplies over mountainous terrain. The most famous of these animals was Hambone, the pride of the 4th Field Artillery Regiment. For 13 years, he carried First Sergeants up Ute Pass to Camp Hale. Camp Hale, located near Leadville, Colorado, was where the Army conducted cold weather and mountain warfare training. Hambone died in March 1971, and was buried with full military honors. Activity at Camp Carson was greatly reduced following the end of World War II. By April 1946, the military strength at the Mountain Post had dropped to around 600. It appeared that Camp Carson would be closed. With the onset of the Korean War, however, activity once again increased. Many Reserve and National Guard units were called to active duty and stationed at Camp Carson during this time. Camp Carson became "Fort Carson" in 1954. In the 1960s, mechanized units were assigned to the Mountain Post. At that time additional training land was purchased, bringing the post to its current size of 137,000 acres (570 km²). Fort Carson also has its own aviation facility, Butts Army Air Field, which was constructed between 1963 and 1966. The facility primarily supports helicopters and has extensive landing pad facilities, as well as a 4,573-foot (1,394 m) runway for light fixed-wing aircraft such as the C-12. Heavier fixed-wing military aircraft supporting Fort Carson, such as USAF C-130s, will typically operate from nearby Peterson AFB.[2][3] Throughout its history Fort Carson has been home to nine divisions. An additional training area, comprising 235,000 acres (959 km²), was purchased in September 1983. Named the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, this training area is located approximately 150 miles (240 km) road miles to the southeast, and is used for large force-on-force maneuver training. Comprehensive maneuver and live fire training also occurs downrange at Fort Carson. One of the entrance signs at Fort Carson. Exercises and deployments continually hone the skills of Fort Carson soldiers. When not deployed, soldiers train annually at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site and the National Training Center near Barstow, California. Additionally, units participate in joint exercises around the world, including Central and South Africa, Europe, and Southwest Asia. In 2003, most Fort Carson units were deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Troops from the 984th Military Police CO, 759th Military Police BN were also sent in support of the guard mission at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. President George W. Bush addressed soldiers and family members at the post on November 24, 2003, in praise of the soldiers' determination and the sacrifices their families have made. Fort Carson's beautiful scenery has made it one of the most requested duty stations in the U.S. Army. It is considered the second most popular CONUS duty station, after Fort Lewis, Washington, and adopted "Best Hometown in the Army" as its motto in 2007. Fort Carson has undergone a construction boom in 2007 and 2008 in preparation for the return of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) from Fort Hood, Texas. The 4ID will set up headquarters at Fort Carson after returning from their 2008 deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Arrival of the 4ID (headquarters and a heavy brigade)

Fountain can trace its roots to the Ute Indians choosing the confluence of Jimmy Camp Creek and Fountain Creek as wintering grounds. Rich with game, trappers followed, setting up trading posts along the Fountaine Qui Bouille or "bubbling springs." Trappers and traders There are many stories about Jimmy's Camp, a trading post said to connect the forts on the Plains to forts on the front range of the Rockies. Some say Jimmy was an Irishman, some say a soldier, and others say a trader. His camp laid along the creek, on "Trappers Trail," Cherokee Trail," or "Jimmy's Camp Trail," depending on whose version is told. All agree Jimmy was killed in his camp around 1842. Every tale tells of different version of "who dun it!" Pony Express Fountain is said to have had a Pony Express stop at one of its first houses, which doubled as a post office. Mail later came by rail. The post office moved to Barney's Food Market on Main Street in 1926. The first post office in El Paso County was in Fountain Valley. Fountain's post office remains the oldest one in the County. Stage coach route A stage coach road connected Canyon City and Denver in 1873. The Colorado gold rush increased its patronage. Coaches ran day and night, stopping only to switch horses or allow buffalo herds to pass... our first traffic jams! Stage coaches gave way to rail eventually. Deep roots in ranching Settlers arrived in covered wagons, farms sprung up and soon the valley was alive with cattle, dairies and merchants. The main crops were sugar beets, cherries, beans, grain, corn, and alfalfa. In 1919 the town was still surrounded by farms, and the irrigation ditches still flow to today. In 1898 the Fountain Trading Company was established and still stands today at 117 Main Street. This mercantile store provided supplies to miners, traders, ranchers, trappers, and farmers. The oldest church in El Paso County is just 2 blocks north. Founded 1859 The town of Fountain was founded in 1859, the same year as Colorado City, Denver, Golden and Central City. It was built with the idea it would some day be the biggest city in the state, possibly the state capitol. Even then the town had big ideas! The BIG Blast!!! But the big idea went up in smoke, quite literally, in 1888, when a train broke loose in Colorado Springs, gained speed approaching Fountain and slammed into a rail car. The fire spread to a car full of explosives. The blast was felt 13 miles north in Colorado Springs. Residents of Monument, 33 miles to the north, reported it woke almost everyone in town! Today the annual "Main Street Blast" dance is held in the heart of historical downtown Fountain. Fountain rebuilt itself and was incorporated as a town in 1903. It remains one of the oldest incorporated towns in the Pikes Peak region. By 1942 the war had arrived and Fountain had a new neighbor. Named after Kit Carson, Fort Carson was founded in 1942 and has played a major role in the community. Between 1942 and 1956, trains of up to 300 mules were a common sight to carry equipment, weapons and supplies over mountainous terrain. For 13 years the mule Hambone carried supplies for Fort Carson and was buried with full military honors. Today "the Mountain Post" has over 18,000 soldiers and expects to add another 12,000 by 2008. In 2008, volunteers started work on an historic walking tour, and forming an official historic district registered with the State Office of Historic Preservation.

ABOUT DISTRICT 8 Mission Statement The mission of Fountain-Fort Carson School District Eight is to develop generations of world class learners capable of being successful members of society by providing a positive, empowering, and safe environment where academic excellence is the desired result for all students. School District Eight is on a continual path to maximize student learning at every grade K-12. Our community has identified academic achievement as its number one priority. The District is proud of the gains it has recorded. Small class sizes, a well trained staff, coupled with a comprehensive and challenging curriculum are the foundation for our strong academic program. The extra curricular opportunities available to students are among the most comprehensive in the Pikes Peak region. Excellent facilities, a supportive community and a dedicated staff of professional educators are hallmarks of Fountain-Fort Carson's programs. Located in the "All American City" of Fountain and Fort Carson, School District Eight is a great place for children to learn and grow. The vision of Fountain-Fort Carson School District Eight is to prepare students, Pre-kindergarten to Post Secondary, with the most advanced math, science, technology and life-skills taught by the highest quality staff. We will reward excellence, promote staff retention, support professional development, provide safe environments and involve our community.