can you visit fort knox gold depository

Can You Do a Tour of Fort Knox? The Ultimate Visitor‘s Guide

As one of the most mysterious military sites in the nation, Fort Knox captures the imagination of Americans young and old. With its troves of gold, imposing security, and aura of secrecy, it‘s no wonder visitors are dying to get inside.

So – can you actually tour this legendary Army base? Keep reading, friend. I‘ll give you an in-depth look at how to visit Fort Knox based on my years as an expert in military history and security protocols.

An Overview of Access for Visitors

Let‘s start with the key facts on public access to Fort Knox:

It is an active military base run by the Army, not a museum or public attraction.

Tours are not offered except for rare special events open to vetted civilians.

Unauthorized access is prohibited. Only cleared personnel can enter day-to-day.

But while notoriously exclusive, there are some opportunities for visitors via military events, educational programs, and the gold vault viewing area. We‘ll break these down step-by-step later on.

First, what exactly is Fort Knox and why is security so tight? A quick history provides context.

A Brief History of Fort Knox

Gold. Tanks. Top secret documents. This trifecta defines Fort Knox and its mission.

The base was established in 1918 during World War I as a training center and tank facility. Its position near the Ohio River made it an ideal Army hub.

In 1937 , the now-famous Bullion Depository was built onsite – a fortified vault for storing America‘s gold reserves. Over 4,500 tons of gold worth $200 billion sits protected behind its 21-inch thick walls.

After WWII, Fort Knox became home to the Army Human Resources Command and other critical units. It also stores important historical documents like the Declaration of Independence and Magna Carta.

Given these vital assets, security is paramount. Some key statistics:

30,000 soldiers and civilians work daily on base

It spans over 109,000 acres (bigger than Paris!)

700+ security cameras and armed patrols enforce access

Now let‘s move on to the question on everyone‘s mind – can you get in?

Accessing Fort Knox for Special Events

Your best chance to step foot inside Fort Knox comes just a few days per year during these approved events:

What: A weeklong celebration of sea service branches with ship tours, concerts, and military displays.

Access: Limited to screened and registered civilians. ID and security checks required.

Veterans Day Parade

What: November parade through Fort Knox honoring veterans.

Access: Open to vetted civilians who apply in advance.

Military Unit Reunions

What: Former members of specific Army groups hold occasional reunions.

Access: Restricted to members of the designated unit.

As you can see, these closely-controlled events allow only small numbers of pre-approved civilians access to Fort Knox.

But for history buffs or former military, it‘s an exclusive opportunity to get inside one of America‘s most secure sites!

Booking an Educational or Recreational Tour

Let‘s say you represent an organization interested in bringing a group to Fort Knox for an educational or recreational tour. It is possible, but takes persistence!

Here‘s a step-by-step guide:

Research tour options. Tours cover topics like STEM, fitness, anti-drug education, leadership training, and more. Ensure your group meets age limits.

Submit application. Requires documents on your organization, goals, insurance, medical forms, roster, and more.

Obtain approvals. Can take months to get required approvals from base leadership and Army outreach office.

Consent to background checks. All visitors must pass criminal records and fingerprint checks.

Follow security rules. These include ID checks, bag searches, dress code, and more. Some areas are off limits.

The process is rigorous, but provides unparalleled access if approved. Over 10,000 youth participate annually in these tours. For schools or clubs, it‘s a world-class educational experience.

Limited Gold Vault Viewings

As depicted in action films, the iconic gold vault at Fort Knox looms large in the public imagination. But can you actually see the billions in bullion up close?

Unfortunately, the vault itself remains classified and off-limits to visitors. However, a nearby visitor‘s center offers a view into the vault antechamber from behind bulletproof glass.

You‘ll glimpse the gleaming outer door and interior entryway, but not the gold itself. Reservations are required months in advance. All visitors undergo TSA-style security screening before entry.

While you won‘t get an up-close glimpse, it‘s still a rare treat for the vault to even allow public viewing access of any kind!

Nearby Towns and Attractions

Given the tight restrictions directly at Fort Knox, I suggest considering the surrounding region as an alternative.

Within a short drive you‘ll find charming towns, natural wonders, and historical attractions to discover. Here are some top options:

Radcliff – Just 5 miles from Fort Knox; offers shopping and dining.

Louisville – A 40-minute drive away; explore this vibrant river city.

Mammoth Cave National Park – Massive caves to tour; 70 miles from the base.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace – See the president‘s boyhood home; 60 miles away.

When Fort Knox itself is off the table, experience the next best thing – iconic Kentucky culture , food, and scenery!

Quick Facts on Fort Knox

Let‘s round up some key stats on Fort Knox:

President Franklin Roosevelt visited in 1937 and was impressed by the gold vault security.

The bullion depot stores over 147 million ounces of gold. That‘s 4,582 metric tons .

All of the Army‘s gold is valued at $200 billion making it one of the largest concentrations of wealth globally.

After 9/11, public tours ceased due to terrorism concerns . They have not returned in the 20+ years since.

There are 1,009 buildings on base including 423 historic structures.

George Patton and other legendary officers were once stationed at Fort Knox.

Can You Visit Fort Knox? The Bottom Line

I hope this guide gave you an in-depth look at how to visit Fort Knox, as well as useful history and stats. The bottom line: Public tours are not offered except in special cases due to the base‘s security and gold reserves.

That said, occasional events and educational programs do allow civilians to step foot inside under supervision. For history and military buffs, it‘s an incredible opportunity!

While casual visits aren‘t possible, exploring nearby towns offers lots to see and do. And who knows – perhaps someday security levels will relax enough to allow tours. We history lovers will keep dreaming!

Let me know if you have any other Fort Knox questions. I‘m happy to chat more about this fascinating military base and its secrets. Stay curious!

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Fort Knox, Kentucky

Michael Trevis

Michael has a BA in History & American Studies and an MSc in American History from the University of Edinburgh. He comes from a proud military family and has spent most of his career as an educator in the Middle East and Asia. His passion is travel, and he seizes any opportunity to share his experiences in the most immersive way possible, whether at sea or on the land.

Part of our in-depth series exploring Southern Early American Forts

Patton Museum at Fort Knox 4554 Fayette Avenue Fort Knox, KY 40121 Phone: 502-624-3812 E-mail: [email protected]

Location: On 31W just south of the U.S. 60 intersection. The museum is actually on Fort Knox in Keyes Park off Chaffee Avenue. Visitors can reach the museum directly through the public parking off 31W. Alternatively, visitors may enter the installation through Brandenburg Station Road, Bouillon, or Wilson Road Gate and ask the guards for directions to the museum. NO WEAPONS ARE PERMITTED ON POST and the gate guards will not allow you to enter if you have a weapon with you. All gates require to show proper identification (required of everybody in vehicle over the age of 16), vehicle registration, and valid driver’s license. The vehicle is subject to search.

Handicapped Accessibility: Visitors must enter through one of the three gates (Brandenburg Station Road, Bouillon, or Wilson Road.) to utilize the handicapped parking spots immediately outside the museum door or park in the closer on post parking lot and avoid having to pass through the turnstiles of the outer public parking lot. This is advised for visitors in a wheelchair. Wheelchairs are available in the museum on request.

Guided & Self-Guided Tour Information

One of the key attractions at Fort Knox is the General George Patton Museum. This fascinating spot is home to a plethora of exhibits of great interest to casual and serious military fans alike. Unfortunately, they do not offer guided tours at this time. Self-guided tours are the typical means of exploring this institution. The WWII barracks exhibit is of particular note. Admission is free and opening hours are 9 am - 4:30 am, Tuesday through Saturday.

The Kentucky Bullion Depository is closed to visitors. US citizens with a valid ID can visit Fort Knox itself with a 5-day "fast pass." There is no need to pass through the visitor center as passes can be obtained online . The main visitor center is open from 6 am to 9 pm every day of the week. From here, you can obtain a 1-year visitor pass provided you are a US citizen aged 18 or older with valid ID.

Seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Holidays may have shortened hours. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, December 24, 25, and 31 and January 1.

Patton Museum is also closed when Fort Knox is closed due to inclement weather. Museum is open to the general public and admission is free.

Contact us by mail at: Patton Museum P.O. Box 208 Fort Knox, KY 40121-0208

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Fort Knox. Mystery Is Its History.

By Todd Brandes and Jimmy Shirley April 28, 2017

The United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Ky., is one of six United States Mint facilities. Located 30 miles southwest of Louisville, adjacent to the United States Army Garrison Fort Knox , the Depository is home to a large portion of the gold bullion of the United States. The balance is stored at Mint locations in Philadelphia, Denver, West Point and San Francisco.

Construction of the Depository began in 1935 and was completed in December 1936, at a cost of $560,000. The building contains 16,000 cubic feet of granite, 4,200 cubic yards of concrete, 750 tons of reinforced steel and 670 tons of structural steel. It was constructed under the supervision of the procurement division of the United States Department of the Treasury. Upon completion, the Depository was placed under the jurisdiction of the Director of the Mint. The facility is equipped with state of the art security systems and the latest technological advancements.

The first gold was moved to the Depository by railroad in January 1937, shipped by the United States Postal Service. This was the only method of providing insurance for the gold because, at the time, the U.S.P.S. was the only agency that could accept the liability if any assets were lost. The initial series of gold shipments was completed in June 1937, making the United States Bullion Depository fully operational at that time.

The gold in the Depository is in the form of standard U.S. Mint bars of almost pure gold, or coin bars resulting from the melting of gold coins. The bars are similar in size to an ordinary brick, measuring approximately seven inches in length, three and a half inches in width and one and three quarters inches in thickness. Each of these gold bars contains approximately 400 troy ounces of pure gold.

The Depository is headed by an Officer in Charge, who is responsible for ensuring the security of the bullion. The facility is protected by the United States Mint Police, and the officers are hand-selected by the U.S. Mint Headquarters in Washington, D.C. These officers must complete a rigorous training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga. and pass a thorough background investigation.

The Depository, commonly referred to as the “Gold Vault,” has undergone many changes over its 81-year history. The security of the Depository has reached legendary status with its mystique and mythical folklore. The actual structure and content of the facility is known by only a few, and no one person knows all the procedures to open the vault. No visitors are permitted into the facility and only one president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and one Congressional delegation in 1974, have been inside the vault.

Perhaps the most advanced security system the Depository has to offer is its secrecy. Cloaked in mystery, the United States Bullion Depository has established itself as the most secure facility in the world and earned the title “As Secure as Fort Knox.”

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Fort Knox is a U.S. Army post in the Kentucky Derby Region .

Understand [ edit ]

Fort Knox is internationally known for the United States Bullion Depository, which stores a large portion of gold and other valuable items in the United States' possession. It is estimated to hold 2.3% of all gold refined in human history.

Film producer Albert Broccoli managed to get permission to use the exterior of Fort Knox as a location for the James Bond film Goldfinger , though they were restricted to a minimum of 3000 ft (900 m) in the airspace above it for the aerial scenes. The interior scenes were a film set at Pinewood Studios.

Get in [ edit ]

US 31W runs roughly north/south next to Fort Knox; drivers may access the Brandenburg Station Road, Chaffee Avenue, and Wilson Road Gates, as they travel north to south, respectively. 31W connects Elizabethtown 15 minutes to the South, and Louisville about 60 minutes to the north. Further east runs I65, also connecting Elizabethtown and Louisville. KY 313, running east/west, brings in traffic from I-65 to the east, via exit 102.

Get around [ edit ]

Not much effort seems to have been made to make navigating around post easy; most signs for buildings use difficult-to-read "military speak" (for example, the Leader's Club sign is marked: "Directorate Of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation", and in relatively tiny text at the bottom: Leader's Club). However, almost every street intersection is clearly labeled, though the existing signs differ for some roads from the names given by Google Maps.

The Fort Knox MWR Guidebook (available at several locations around post) has probably the best map of post available to the average visitor.

See [ edit ]

• Saunders Spring Nature Preserve , 100 Saunders Spring Ln, Radcliff. Not really military-related, but it sits side by side with Fort Knox and is pretty charming with pioneer cabins and waterfalls and biking trails. Daily 7:30AM-6PM.

Do [ edit ]

Four gymnasiums (Otto, Smith, Natcher and Gammon), an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool (Anderson) and several large athletic fields are available at various locations around post.

• 37.908445 -85.928744 1 Otto Physical Fitness Center , 6591 Abel St , ☏ +1 502-624-3316 . M-F 5AM-9PM, Sa Su closed . ( updated Dec 2018 )
• 37.918443 -85.941631 2 Smith Physical Fitness Center , 5927 26th Calvalry Drive , ☏ +1 502-624-3641 . M-F 5AM-9PM, Sa Su 11AM-7PM . ( updated Dec 2018 )
• 37.909559 -85.956451 3 Natcher Physical Fitness Center , 2341 Garry Owen Regiment Ave , ☏ +1 502-624-8169 . M-F 5AM-9PM, Sa Su closed . ( updated Dec 2018 )
• 37.8989 -85.941839 4 Gammon Total Fitness , 850 Radio St , ☏ +1 502-624-4033 . M-F 5AM-9PM, Sa Su 7AM-3PM . ( updated Dec 2018 )
• 37.879278 -85.941443 5 Anderson Indoor Aquatics Center , 7962 Wilson Rd , ☏ +1 502-624-6217 . M-F 6AM-7PM, Sa 11AM-7PM, Su noon-5PM . ( updated Dec 2018 )

Most locations and activities are fairly typical for a large military post; including an outdoor recreational area (Camp Carlson Army Travel Camp), Shooting Club (French Range), bowling alley (Houston Bowling Center), and golf course (Lindsey Golf Course).

• 37.902689 -86.025041 6 Camp Carlson Army Travel Camp , 9210 US-60, Muldraugh , ☏ +1 502-624-4836 . ( updated Dec 2018 )
• 37.916423 -85.923192 7 [dead link] French Shooting Range , 9333 Main Range Rd , ☏ +1 502-624-7754 . Th 3PM-7PM, Sa Su 10AM-5PM, M-W and F closed . ( updated Dec 2018 )
• 37.908095 -85.95826 8 Houston Bowling Center , 2385 Knox St , ☏ +1 502-624-4740 . M Tu 11AM-10PM, W Th 10AM-10PM, F 11AM-midnight, Sa 10AM-midnight, Su noon-6PM . ( updated Dec 2018 )
• 37.891456 -85.960856 9 Lindsey Golf Course , 4024 Bullion Blvd , ☏ +1 502-624-2717 . 9AM-5PM . ( updated Dec 2018 )

Buy [ edit ]

The Post Main PX, Commissary, and Clothing and Sales are all in the same general vicinity.

• 37.885212 -85.950505 1 Fort Knox Main Post Exchange , 127 Gold Vault Rd , ☏ +1 502-942-0067 . M-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 10AM-6PM . ( updated Dec 2018 )

Eat [ edit ]

There are a few restaurants near the Post Exchange such as a Burger King, Popeyes, Qdoba and Subway.

Drink [ edit ]

Rocker II and the Leader's Club have full bars on post. Rocker II offers wide screen TV's, 4 pool tables and dart boards, and various video games to provide weekend diversions. The Leader's Club features Fiddler's Green Bar and Lounge, as well as the Bullion Room Restaurant.

Sleep [ edit ]

There are 600 transient lodging spaces at 6 locations around post are available for soldiers on TDY assignment. Separate spaces are also available for up to 76 Permanent Party Geographical Bachelors (GBQ). Transient lodging spaces range from dormitory style to efficiency apartments, but most will feature queen-sized beds, basic kitchen facilities with microwave and refrigerator (and sometimes stove), as well as cable TV and high-speed internet connections (wired).

For civilians, look for accommodation in nearby Radcliff, Brandenburg or Elizabethtown .

Connect [ edit ]

By phone [ edit ].

Calls between landline phones on the post can still be made by dialing the last five digits. However, all calls made to off-post numbers, whether long-distance or not, require 10-digit dialing—despite the fact that the area code 502 that serves the post has not yet been subject to an overlay plan (i.e., a second area code that covers the same geographic area).

This is because the local calling area for Fort Knox includes areas outside the 502 area code that are served by an overlay complex of two area codes, 270 and 364. Included in the 270/364 overlay and the local calling area are the cities of Radcliff, directly adjacent to the main gate, and Elizabethtown , a short distance to the south. Visitors who are staying in those cities must dial all 10 digits for local or in-state calls, omitting just the leading +1 from a local landline call.

Signage on many established businesses in Radcliff or Elizabethtown may still display the original seven-digit numbers; dial 270 before these if no area code is indicated.

Go next [ edit ]

The nearest large town with a little more to offer is Louisville , while Lexington is further away, but still a reasonable drive.

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The World’s Most Secure Buildings: U.S. Bullion Depository, Fort Knox

May 24, 2021

U.S. Bullion Depository, Fort Knox (Source: US Mint )

U.S. Bullion Depository, Fort Knox Facts

• U.S. Bullion Depository holds 147.3 million ounces of gold. Approximately 50% of the Treasury’s gold, along with precious items of other federal organizations, is reserved in the Depository.
• It held 649.6 million ounces on December 31, 1941, the largest historic amount of gold assets.
• Inspectors only abstract insignificant quantities of gold to check purity. Apart from these samples, no gold has been transported to or from the vault for several years.
• The gold is kept as the country’s asset at a book value of $42.22 per ounce.
• Typical size of a gold bar stored in the Depository is 7 x 3 5/8 x 1 3/4 inches.
• Weight of a typical gold bar is around 400 ounces (27.5 pounds).
• Only a few people know about the actual construction and content of the building. However, no individual knows all the techniques to unlock the vault.
• In 1937, the first gold reached Fort Knox by U.S. Mail.

Construction of U.S. Bullion Depository, Fort Knox

• 16,500 cubic feet (470 cubic meters) of granite
• 4,200 cubic yards (3,200 cubic meters) of concrete
• 750 short tons (680 metric tons) of reinforced steel
• 670 short tons (610 metric tons) of structural steel

Under the fort-like building is the gold vault composed of steel plates, steel I-beams, and steel cylinders fastened with hoop bands and enclosed in concrete. The building is two stories high with an area of less than 4,000 square feet (370 square meters). According to Mosler Safe Company, the vault constructor, both the vault gate and emergency gate are 21 inches (53 centimeters) thick and are made of the latest torch-and-drill-resistant material of the time. The central vault gate weighs 20 short tons (18 metric tons) and the vault sheath is 25 inches (64 centimeters). The vault gate is set on a 100-hour time lock and is seldom unlocked. To unlock the vault, staff members must enter discrete combinations known only to them.

Escape Tunnel

Surroundings, what is inside u.s. bullion depository, fort knox.

The amount of gold held at Fort Knox (Source: Bureau of Fiscal Service )

Hoard of Drugs

Historic documents.

During World War II, the gold vault served as a depository for the original copy of the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the original draft of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. In 1944, the documents were sent back to Washington, DC.

Magna Carta of King John, AD 1215 (Source: Moneywise )

The vault previously deposited precious objects for other government organizations, such as the Magna Carta, and the crown, sword, scepter, orb, and cape of St. Stephen, King of Hungary before returning them to Hungary in 1978.

The Holy Crown of Hungary (Source: Moneywise )

What Makes U.S. Bullion Depository, Fort Knox One of the World’s Most Secure Buildings?

Blast proof doors and roof, electronics, visitor restrictions, presence of army officers, secure your building with identiv.

Related Articles

Is There Gold in Fort Knox? Yes, It Isn't Just a Conspiracy Theory

The U.S. is stashing gold in Fort Knox, but good luck finding it. It's locked away good and tight. Here's what we know about the gold stash.

Aug. 24 2021, Published 2:49 p.m. ET

Don't go grabbing your gold sifter and scale for this one. While there might be gold in Fort Knox , it isn't underground. Instead, it's under serious lock and key.

Here's what to know about the Fort Knox Bullion Depository—the extremely high-security government facility in Fort Knox, Ky. that leaves no gold unturned.

What is the Fort Knox Bullion Depository?

The Fort Knox Bullion Depository is a vault that holds valuable assets under U.S. government ownership. The U.S. facility is situated adjacent to the U.S. army post that Fort Knox is well known for. The U.S. Department of the Treasury operates the facility, which houses various assets (including, of course, gold).

Gold bullion is high-purity physical gold that comes in the form of bars or coins.

Can you visit the Fort Knox Bullion Depository?

Visitors aren't allowed in the Fort Knox Bullion Depository. For anyone wondering, that's a hard and fast rule that has been in place since the building completed construction in 1936. Now, 85 years later, the building still houses various commodities .

Here's how much gold is in Fort Knox

What is $PLTR doing buying deliverable gold? Are they looking to set up their own fort knox? 😂 — Allison Mahmood (@Quan2m2) August 18, 2021

According to the U.S. Mint , the Fort Knox Bullion Depository currently houses 147.3 million ounces of gold. That amounts to approximately half of the U.S. Treasury's total stored gold.

Historic gold holding records

Gold first found its way to Fort Knox in 1937. The record for most gold holdings at the Fort Knox vault is 649.6 million ounces. The U.S. set this record on December 31, 1941.

Currently, it has been decades since any gold has been moved to or from the facility. Gold is only moved when experts sample small amounts to test its purity.

The U.S. government uses gold as a strategic asset (and no unwelcome guests can get in).

Gold stocks continue making 52-week lows, even though #gold itself is not falling, simply because #Fed officials are talking about tapering. Even if they do taper, it will be minor and won't last long, as the Fed will quickly reverse course and ramp up QE above the current level. — Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) August 18, 2021

The U.S. government uses gold as a diverse asset to hedge against economic downturns. The government takes the Fort Knox facility very seriously. Only a few individuals are aware of the building's actual layout, structure, and breadth of contents. Also, no single individual knows the entire procedure of opening the vault. The Fort Knox Bullion Depository is one of the most secure buildings in the world.

The facility is thought to be made from a mix of granite, concrete, reinforced steel, and structural steel. The blast-proof exterior is built from granite-lined concrete. The gold vault itself is made of steel plates, steel I-beams, and concrete-encased steel cylinders. Of course, there's also an escape tunnel in case anyone gets locked in unwillingly.

The U.S. holds its gold storage at a book value of $42.22 per ounce. With 147.3 ounces of gold currently in the facility, that's $6.2 billion worth of gold. If you're thinking about weaseling your way in, think again. U.S. Mint Police guard the building steadfastly, and razor wire and minefields scatter the land surrounding it.

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What's really inside fort knox the golden secrets of the us bullion depository revealed.

You may be aware of Fort Knox from the James Bond movie Goldfinger , or from the old cartoon where Bugs Bunny tricks Yosemite Sam into digging up some of the gold bars and getting arrested.

But what do you really know about the U.S. bullion bunker in Kentucky?

The Fort Knox gold vault is one of the most secure and secret places in America. Because few people have ever gotten inside, the gold depository is a subject of fascination and speculation.

Here are 10 things we know — and maybe don't know.

1. It holds tons of gold — literally

Fort Knox currently houses 147.3 million ounces of gold. The government says the bullion has a "book value" of $6.22 billion.

However, that's based on a fixed price that officials set in 1973. Based on the current market value of gold, the reserves at Fort Knox are worth a far more impressive $273.7 billion , roughly speaking.

Much of the gold in the vault is in the form of 27-pound bars, while a percentage is in gold coins.

At one time, the point of having all of that gold was to provide backing for U.S. currency — but the dollar was taken off the gold standard in 1971.

2. Is the gold really in there?

So why does the U.S. hang onto its gold stash?

"Just in case we need it," is the explanation a former Federal Reserve Board chairman reportedly gave .

Conspiracy theorists have insisted that the government secretly sold off the gold and that the gold bars are actually tungsten bricks painted to look like the precious metal.

There's no way for outsiders to say with absolute certainty if there's really bullion — or if it's all bull. Over the years, there have been few audits to test the gold, or inventories to count it.

3. Outsiders rarely get inside

In 2017, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin led a rare visit by outsiders to peek at the gold reserves inside the Fort Knox vault.

He was accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and the two of them were photographed holding gold bars .

Afterward, Mnuchin had an answer for the conspiracy mongers. "Glad gold is safe!" he tweeted.

The last time Fort Knox had opened its vault to civilians was more than 40 years earlier. A congressional delegation and some journalists got a look at the gold in 1974.

4. Only one US president ever got inside

President Franklin Roosevelt commissioned the construction of Fort Knox in the mid-1930s, reportedly because the Treasury worried that U.S. gold reserves weren't safe from an enemy invasion.

Later, Roosevelt became the only U.S. president ever to set foot inside the gold vault’s titanic walls.

He traveled to Fort Knox to make an inspection in 1943, about seven years after construction on the vault was completed.

5. It's one beefy building

Fort Knox contains 4,200 cubic yards of concrete, 16,000 cubic feet of granite, 750 tons of reinforced steel and 670 tons of structural steel. The cost of construction in the 1930s was a mere $560,000.

The roof is said to be bomb-proof, and the main vault door weighs 20 tons and is 21 inches thick. The Treasury says no one person knows the entire combination.

The door is resistant to torches, drills and explosives — not that any of that matters. The real challenge to any would-be intruder is reaching the building in the first place.

6. Guards and more guards

Fort Knox is guarded by members of the U.S. Mint Police, one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies. It was established in 1792.

The officers undergo 12 weeks of basic training, followed by five weeks of field training. They learn a long list of heavy-duty skills, including weapons handling, cornering, door entry and room clearing.

If that doesn't seem intimidating enough, Fort Knox sits at the center of a 109,000-acre U.S. Army post and is a training ground for military troops from around the country.

7. A frail foreign visitor

Occasionally, the vault at Fort Knox has held other precious items, besides gold.

In 1939, one of the original copies of the Magna Carta — the Medieval English charter laying down basic human rights — was brought to the U.S. to go on exhibit at the New York World's Fair.

When World War II erupted, the delicate document was transferred to Fort Knox for safekeeping. The Magna Carta stayed in residence until 1947, when it went back to England.

But for a time, it had some treasured American roommates.

8. Very special guests from US history

World War II turned Fort Knox into a hotel of sorts for prized papers from both sides of the pond.

Originals of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution were moved to the gold vault out of fear that the nation’s capital would be attacked.

As the war wound down, the parchment was returned to its rightful home in Washington, D.C., in 1944. That left some room at Fort Knox for the next priceless guest.

9. Protection for a hallowed headpiece

Legend has it that Hungary's King Coloman, who reigned from 1095 to 1116, declared that the Holy Crown of Hungary, and not the king, was the true ruler of the realm.

During World War II, the crown was whisked out of Hungary to protect it from falling into the clutches of the Nazis or Soviets. It resurfaced in Austria in 1945 and was handed over to American forces.

The U.S. government brought the crown to Fort Knox for safekeeping. It remained there until 1978, when it was returned to Hungary by a delegation led by U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance.

10. America's medicine cabinet

What else has Fort Knox held, besides gold and historic artifacts? How about a hoard of drugs? Morphine sulfate, to be exact.

During the Cold War, the U.S. military wanted to be certain that it had a healthy supply of pain meds in case foreign opium sources ever got cut off. So, in 1955, Fort Knox opened its doors to tons of opium.

The government spent millions refining the stuff into morphine in 1993. It's still stored at Fort Knox, alongside the gold.

That is, if the gold is really there.

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Fort Knox Gold: Everything You Need to Know

Fort Knox, a fortified vault building, is located next to the United States Army post of Fort Knox, Kentucky. The vault is operated by the United States Department of the Treasury, and it is used to store a large portion of the United States’ gold reserves as well as other precious items belonging to the federal government. Since its construction in 1935-1936, the facility has become an icon of American economic power and national security.

The vault’s history is intertwined with the history of the United States. During World War II, the vault was used to store the original copies of the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights. Today, it remains a symbol of the country’s economic might and financial stability.

The gold and other valuables stored in Fort Knox are claimed to be regularly audited to ensure their authenticity and security. The facility is also open to visitors, who can learn about the history, facts, and features of the Fort Knox Bullion Depository by taking a guided tour.

Key Takeaways

• Fort Knox is a fortified vault building located next to the United States Army post of Fort Knox, Kentucky, that is operated by the United States Department of the Treasury.
• The facility is used to store a large portion of the United States’ gold reserves as well as other precious items belonging to the federal government.
• The gold and other valuables stored in Fort Knox are claimed to be regularly audited to ensure their authenticity and security, and the facility is open to visitors who can take a guided tour to learn about its history and features.

History of Fort Knox

Fort Knox, located in Kentucky, is a United States Army installation that has played a significant role in the country’s history. The installation is named after Major General Henry Knox, who served as the first Secretary of War under President George Washington.

Origins and Naming

Fort Knox was originally established as Camp Knox in 1918 during World War I. It was named in honor of Major General Henry Knox, who was instrumental in establishing the Continental Army’s artillery corps during the American Revolution. The camp was used for training troops and was decommissioned after the war. It was reactivated in 1932 as a permanent installation and renamed Fort Knox.

Role in World War II

During World War II, Fort Knox played a vital role in training soldiers for armored warfare. The size and terrain of the installation made it an ideal location for such training. In addition, the United States Bullion Depository was established at Fort Knox during the war to store the country’s gold reserves and other precious items.

Post-War Developments

After World War II, Fort Knox served as a training ground for soldiers. It also became the site of the United States Army Armor Center and School, responsible for training soldiers in armored warfare. In addition, the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox continued to store the country’s gold reserves .

Today, Fort Knox remains an active military installation and home to the United States Army Armor School. The United States Bullion Depository, also known as the Fort Knox Bullion Depository, continues to store a large portion of the country’s gold reserves.

The United States Bullion Depository

Establishment and purpose.

The United States Bullion Depository , commonly known as Fort Knox, is a fortified vault located adjacent to the United States Army post of Fort Knox, Kentucky. It was established in 1935 by the Treasury Department to store the nation’s gold reserves and other precious items belonging to the government. The purpose of the Depository is to provide a secure location for the storage of gold and other valuable assets.

Design and Construction

The Bullion Depository was designed by Louis A. Simon and constructed between 1936 and 1937. The vault is built of granite, steel, and concrete, and is surrounded by a fence and armed guards. The vault door is made of steel and weighs 22 tons. The Depository is also equipped with an elaborate security system, including motion sensors, cameras, and alarms.

Gold Reserves and Security

The Depository holds a significant portion of the United States’ gold reserves, along with other valuable assets. According to the United States Mint , the gold is held at book value of $42.22 per ounce. The gold is stored in the form of bars, with each bar weighing approximately 400 ounces or 27.5 pounds. The Depository is secured by the United States Mint Police , who are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the gold holdings .

The Depository is subject to regular audits to ensure the accuracy of its gold holdings. These audits are conducted by the Treasury Department. This is where the conspiracy that there’s no gold comes from; because the audits are internal. That’s like you stealing a loaf of bread and then doing an investigation to find that you, in fact, did not steal a loaf of bread.

Gold and Valuables Stored

Fort Knox is known for its impressive gold reserves, but it also houses other important valuables . Here is a breakdown of what is stored in the depository:

Gold Bullion Inventory

As of the end of 2023, the Fort Knox Bullion Depository holds 147.3 million ounces of gold, which has a book value of $6.22 billion. This gold is stored in the form of gold bars, also known as gold bullion . The gold bars are made of 99.5% pure gold and weigh approximately 400 ounces each. The gold is stored in a highly secure vault, which is protected by a number of security measures, including armed guards, electronic surveillance, and motion detectors.

In order to cover the national debt, which sits at 34.5 trillion dollars (as of March 2024), the 147.3 million ounces of gold must be revalued at $235,000/oz!

Historical Documents and Artifacts

In addition to gold bullion, the Fort Knox Bullion Depository also houses a number of historical documents and artifacts. Some of the most notable items include:

• The original Declaration of Independence
• The original Constitution of the United States
• The original Bill of Rights
• The Magna Carta
• The Gettysburg Address
• The Gutenberg Bible

These documents and artifacts are stored in specially designed containers that are designed to protect them from damage and deterioration. The containers are also equipped with climate control systems to ensure that the items are preserved in the best possible condition.

Security Measures

Fort Knox is known for its high level of security, which is necessary to protect the gold reserves. The security measures include physical defenses, armed protection, and surveillance and access control.

Physical Defenses

The depository building at Fort Knox is designed to be highly secure. The walls are made of granite, steel plates, and steel I-beams, which provide a high level of protection against physical attacks. The building also has guard boxes and sentry boxes, which are used by security personnel to monitor the area around the building.

Armed Protection

The United States Mint Police and the military provide armed protection for the gold reserves at Fort Knox. The Mint Police are responsible for the physical security of the depository building, while the military provides additional protection for the surrounding area. The Secret Service also plays a role in protecting the gold reserves.

Surveillance and Access Control

Access to the depository building is restricted to authorized personnel only. The building is monitored by surveillance cameras, and access is controlled by a system of locks and alarms. The U.S. Mint Police and the military also patrol the area around the building to ensure that unauthorized individuals do not enter.

Fort Knox in Culture

Literature and film.

Fort Knox’s gold vault has been the subject of many books, movies, and television shows. One of the most famous examples is the James Bond film “Goldfinger,” where the villain attempts to steal the gold from Fort Knox. The movie helped cement the idea of Fort Knox as a secretive and secure location, which has persisted in popular culture to this day.

In addition to “Goldfinger,” Fort Knox has been mentioned or featured in many other works of fiction. For example, it appears in the novel “The Silence of the Lambs” as the location of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. The vault has also been the subject of several documentaries and news reports, which have helped to further popularize the site.

Public Perception

Fort Knox’s gold vault has a reputation as one of the most secure locations in the world. This perception is due in part to the fact that the site is heavily guarded and difficult to access. However, the vault’s reputation has also been shaped by its portrayal in popular culture.

During the Cold War, the gold held at Fort Knox was seen as a symbol of American economic power and stability. The government’s refusal to allow the gold to be audited or inspected by outside entities only added to the site’s mystique. Today, the public perception of Fort Knox is still largely shaped by its association with gold and its reputation as a secretive and secure location.

Operations and Administration

United states mint and treasury.

As a federal facility, Fort Knox Gold is managed by the United States Department of the Treasury . The Treasury Secretary is responsible for overseeing the facility’s gold reserves and ensuring that they are properly accounted for. The gold stored at Fort Knox is owned by the U.S. government and is valued at over $200 billion.

The United States Mint , which is a bureau of the Treasury Department, is responsible for producing and maintaining the nation’s coinage and bullion. The Mint has several facilities throughout the country, including the Philadelphia Mint, the Denver Mint, the San Francisco Mint, and the West Point Mint. The Mint also operates the New York Assay Office, which is responsible for testing and verifying the purity of precious metals.

Audit and Transparency

The Federal Reserve conducts regular audits of the gold reserves stored at Fort Knox to ensure that they are properly accounted for. The Treasury Department provides regular reports on the status of the gold reserves to Congress and the public.

Fort Knox Gold is also subject to oversight by the Congressional delegation from Kentucky, which includes Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Mary Brooks, who served as the Director of the United States Mint from 1981 to 1991, was a native of Louisville, Kentucky, which is located near Fort Knox.

During the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the gold reserves at Fort Knox were moved to the facility from the Philadelphia Mint and other locations. Neal A. Melick, who was the Superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint at the time, oversaw the move of the gold to Fort Knox.

Fort Knox Military Presence

Fort Knox is a United States Army installation in Kentucky, and it is home to several military units. The post is home to the U.S. Army’s Armor School, which is responsible for training soldiers in the use of armored vehicles.

Cavalry and Armored Units

The installation is the headquarters of the 1st Cavalry Regiment, which is a mechanized cavalry unit. The 1st Cavalry Regiment is responsible for providing reconnaissance and security for the U.S. Army. The regiment is equipped with Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Stryker Vehicles, and M1 Abrams Tanks.

Fort Knox also houses the Armored Force, which is responsible for developing and testing new armored vehicles. The Armored Force is comprised of several units, including the Armor School and the Armor Center.

Training and Reserve Operations

The installation is also home to the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, which trains college students to become officers in the U.S. Army. The ROTC program at Fort Knox is one of the largest in the country, and it provides training to students from several universities in the region.

Fort Knox is also home to the National Guard, which provides support to the U.S. Army during times of war and national emergencies. The National Guard units at Fort Knox are responsible for providing logistical support, medical assistance, and other services to the U.S. Army.

In addition to these units, Fort Knox also provides support to several other military entities, including the U.S. Army Recruiting Command and the U.S. Army Cadet Command. The installation is also home to Stithton, which is a small community that provides housing and support services to military families stationed at Fort Knox.

Economic Significance

Fort Knox, the U.S. Bullion Depository, is not only a symbol of American economic power, but also a significant contributor to the global gold market. The depository plays a vital role in safeguarding the nation’s wealth and economic stability. This section explores the economic significance of Fort Knox and its gold reserves.

Gold Market Impact

The gold held in Fort Knox is a significant contributor to the global gold market. According to the United States Treasury , the depository holds 147.3 million ounces of gold, which is worth around $200 billion at current market prices. This gold reserve is an essential asset for the United States, as it helps to maintain the stability of the global gold market. The gold reserves held in Fort Knox also impact the price of gold worldwide. The release or acquisition of gold from Fort Knox can have a significant impact on the global gold market.

National and Global Relevance

The gold reserves held in Fort Knox are a crucial component of the United States economy. The U.S. Constitution mandates that only gold and silver can be used as legal tender, making gold a vital asset for the country. The gold reserves held in Fort Knox also provide a sense of economic security and stability to the nation. In times of economic uncertainty, the gold reserves held in Fort Knox can be used to back the U.S. dollar, providing a sense of reassurance to the country’s citizens.

The Federal Reserve plays a critical role in the management of the gold reserves held in Fort Knox. The Federal Reserve is responsible for ensuring that the gold reserves held in Fort Knox are used appropriately to maintain the stability of the U.S. economy. The Federal Reserve also manages the gold reserves held by other countries, making it a crucial player in the global gold market.

Fort Knox and Medicine

Fort Knox has been known for storing gold, but it has also been used to store other valuable items. One of these items is medicine. During World War II, Fort Knox was used as a storage and distribution center for opium and morphine. Opium and morphine were used to treat wounded soldiers in the field and were considered essential for the war effort.

Opium and Morphine Storage

According to historical records, Fort Knox stored over 1.8 million ounces of opium and morphine sulfate during World War II. The drugs were stored in a secure location within the Fort Knox Bullion Depository.

The opium and morphine were stored in special containers and were carefully monitored to ensure that they remained safe and secure. The drugs were distributed to military hospitals throughout the country and were used to treat soldiers who had been wounded in battle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How secure is the gold at fort knox.

The gold stored at Fort Knox is considered to be one of the most secure stockpiles of gold in the world. The facility is protected by a multi-layered security system, including armed guards, electronic surveillance, and a fortified perimeter fence. The vaults themselves are made of steel-reinforced concrete and are designed to withstand natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, as well as man-made threats, such as explosions and attacks.

What is the current value of the gold stored in Fort Knox?

As of March 20, 2024, the gold stored in Fort Knox is valued at approximately $261 billion, based on the current market price of gold. The exact amount of gold stored at Fort Knox is not publicly disclosed, but it is estimated to be around 147.3 million ounces.

Has there ever been a theft at Fort Knox?

To date, there has never been a successful theft of gold from Fort Knox. While there have been several attempts to breach the facility’s security over the years, none have been successful. The most famous attempt was the 1950 heist depicted in the movie “The Asphalt Jungle,” but it was a fictional account and never actually happened.

What is the historical significance of Fort Knox?

Fort Knox has played a significant role in American history, serving as a military training ground and a storage facility for precious metals and other valuables. The gold stored at Fort Knox was originally intended to back the US dollar and ensure its stability. Today, the gold serves as a reserve asset for the US government and is used to stabilize the economy in times of crisis.

Who is the custodian of the gold at Fort Knox?

The gold stored at Fort Knox is owned by the US government and is managed by the US Mint. The Mint is responsible for the storage and security of the gold, as well as the processing of gold bullion and coins. The Mint is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury and reports directly to the Secretary of the Treasury.

How frequently is the gold inventory at Fort Knox audited?

The US Mint and the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury audit the gold inventory at Fort Knox annually. The audits ensure the accuracy of the gold holdings and detect any discrepancies or irregularities.

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An Unclassified Peek Inside Fort Knox Gold Depository

By Philip N. Diehl , exclusively for  CoinWeek  …..  

The public image of the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox , Kentucky , was cemented in the 1964 movie Goldfinger . The four-story vaults of shining chrome bar-encased gold, suspended staircases, and vast interior are now classic Hollywood images of what our imaginations want Ft. Knox to look like.

The reality is very different.

I remember hearing these rumors at home in Texas . Ed Busch , of WFAA radio in Dallas , fanned the flames of suspicion to great effect, finally forcing the Treasury Department to open the vault (by the way, I’m confident the gold is there, but the idea that anyone could look at a stack of gold bars and be reassured that, in fact, “the gold is all there” is amusing).

Emphasis on “Fort”

From the outside, the Depository appears to be a concrete, Depression-era structure. Nothing special, unlike the Fort Knox of Hollywood fame.

But, it IS well protected.

There are concentric rings of defenses, starting with the two-story vault itself. The vault is small, less than 4000 square feet, and two stories high. Its walls are two feet thick and constructed of concrete-encased steel plates, steel I-beams, and steel cylinders laced with hoop bands. The vault walls and roof are separated from the Depository’s outer walls and roof, which are made of granite-lined concrete.

The vault door is blast-, drill-, and torch-proof, 21 inches thick, and weighs in at more than 20 tons. It is set on a 100-hour time clock and is rarely opened. There’s no need; metal is not moved in and out of the vault. The gold used in producing the Mint’s gold coins is held at the West Point Mint .

No one person can open the vault door. As with all vaults, there is an escape door for anyone who might become trapped in the vault. But you might rather wait out the 100-hour clock. The approach to the door is through a narrow tunnel one must crawl through. It opens outside the vault but inside the depository. The escape door only opens from the inside. Four armored guard boxes stand at each corner of the building and armored sentry boxes flank the entrance gate. The facility has stand-alone emergency power, water, and other systems on site.

The next ring of protection is the heavily armed and highly profession members of the United States Mint Police Force , who can engage intruders from inside the fortress to beyond the outer steel fence. Between the walls of the Depository and the outer perimeter lie rings of razor wire and mine fields , monitored by high-resolution, night-vision video cameras, and microphones. The Depository sits on the Fort Knox Army post at the corner of Bullion Boulevard and Gold Vault Road (no kidding).

During my visit, I asked if anyone had been crazy enough to try to penetrate these awesome defenses. I was told that, on one or two occasions, an inebriated soldier, looking for a shortcut back to base from a local bar and not knowing where he was, had attempted to climb the outer fence. You can imagine the sobering effect the floodlights, alarms, and booming speakers would have had on the unfortunate fellow.

Fort Knox Today

Today, Fort Knox holds about 4,600 metric tons of gold worth close to $200 billion dollars – 2.5% of all the gold ever refined over the course of human history. But dring World War II , the Depository held more than four times its current holdings.

But gold might not have been the most valuable asset held by the Depository. Over the years, Fort Knox has protected copies of the Gutenberg Bible , the Magna Carta , the Declaration of Independence , the United States Constitution , and the Gettysburg Address , among other priceless artifacts. On a grimmer note, during the Cold War , morphine and opium were stored at the Depository in case they were need in huge quantities after a nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union .

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Thank you for sharing your experience and insightful description of the most famous “bank vault” in the world. It is a bit disappointing when reality pales in comparison to what our imaginations come up with sometimes.

I do have one BIG question that I hope you can answer. Since we are no longer on the gold standard and like you said, it houses such a small percentage of gold…why then do we have it???

I think it’s politics. There’s no good reason to empty the vaults at Fort Knox, and selling the gold would ignite a political firestorm.

As for the rest of the world, nations keep gold reserves for two primary reasons, the most important of which is to protect the credibility of their currencies.

Although the world long ago abandoned the gold standard, gold still maintains virtually universal confidence. So if confidence in a nation’s political or economic stability erodes, gold stands as a backstop buttressing trust in its creditworthiness.

Germany’s decision last year to repatriate a portion of its gold reserves was driven, in part, by German public concern about the state of the euro. These concerns reached a peak as the European Union struggled with its debt crisis.

A second reason central banks hold gold is to balance their portfolios. For example, Asian central banks hold enormous reserves in dollar-denominated assets. If the dollar falls in value, the value of their reserves falls in tandem–better to diversify by spread the reserves among other assets. Gold has been central bankers’ asset-of-choice as an alternative to the dollar, and today, when the dollar falls, gold usually rises.

This is one reason I think gold will enter another bull run. As I said, the Asian reserves are huge, the vast majority of which is held in dollars. They have strong incentives to diversify their portfolios, and gold is really their only alternative.

This is already occurring, will continue, and will accelerate if the dollar begins a sustained fall. But it will proceed at a moderate pace over years in order to prevent a rapid move out of dollars from causing a tailspin in the value of the Asian bank reserves.

I think central bank demand will drive gold prices for years to come.

Is it true that the gold that was confiscated from American citizens by FDR’s government is stored at Fort Knox?

Before I answer your question, let’s discuss FDR’s confiscation of Americans’ gold.

First, “confiscation” implies seizure without compensation. While FDR’s Executive Order 6102 required much of the nation’s gold to be surrender to the Treasury, it also provided for owners to be compensated. One might argue whether or not the price paid by the government was too low, and I haven’t looked into the question closely enough to have an opinion, but in the vast majority of cases, the gold was voluntarily surrendered by the public, not confiscated.

An urban myth has gained credence over the years that the IRS executed a nationwide search of safe deposit boxes as part of the government’s “confiscation policy”, and the myth is supposedly supported by the text of an Executive Order signed by FDR. This document is fraudulent. Most of its text does not appear in the actual Executive Order.

However, there were a few cases in which gold was, in fact, confiscated (without compensation). As far as I’ve been able to determine, all of these confiscations came as a result of criminal prosecutions of people who failed to surrender gold or had otherwise violated federal law.

There was no widespread prosecution of individuals who simply owed gold. What cases were brought by the government were typically against gold traders, dealers, and companies that failed to surrender large quantities of gold.

For example, the first case I can find was brought against an individual who tried to withdraw from his bank 5000 ounces of gold, worth $6.5 million at today’s price. In the depths of the Great Depression, this was an enormous stash, even at 1933 prices. Since the withdrawal request had to be processed by his bank, and the bank was required by law to report such transactions, he was greeted at the bank by federal agents. Clearly, he hadn’t thought it all the way through.

Another example: The government confiscated double eagle worth $12.5 million ($812 million at today’s price) that a Swiss company had placed in the hands of an American business for safekeeping. I assume they fired their attorney.

There are other examples I could cite, but the point is that individual gold owners were not subject to search and uncompensated seizure of their gold or the heavy hand of federal law enforcement. If your gold was confiscated, your violation of federal law was probably pretty flagrant and poorly executed.

Two final points: Contrary to conventional wisdom today, not all gold was subject to E.O. 6102. Gold coins with collector or numismatic value were exempt as was gold used in manufacturing, dentistry, and jewelry production. Moreover, each person in a household could retain up to five troy ounces of gold coins.

As far as I can determine, only one person was prosecuted under E.O. 6102, and he was acquitted. Most prosecutions were brought, not under FDR’s Executive Order, but under an Act of Congress, the Gold Reserve Act of 1934. The constitutionality of E.O 6102 and the Gold Reserve Act was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court.

Now, to answer your question. Gold that was voluntarily surrendered to the government under E.O. 6102 and the Gold Reserve Act of 1934, and gold that was confiscated as a result of criminal prosecutions under the Order and the Act, was melted into bar form, and that gold is included in the reserves held at Fort Knox.

I live near Fort Knox and I have one question: If the outer ring is a mine field how is the grass always perfectly mowed? In the years I lived and worked in and around Fort Knox I’ve never seen anyone mowing the lawn, yet it must be real, it changes with the seasons.

HA! That’s a darn good question. My impulse is to say “very carefully”. I’ll see if I can get you a better answer.

Don’t forget this is the largest national gold reserve held by any country in the world.

I was stationed at Ft Knox for a while in 1979

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Everything You Need to Know About Fort Knox

• October 30, 2023
• Category: Gold , Gold IRA , Government

Fort Knox, synonymous with impenetrable security and vast treasures, has long captured the imagination of many. Located in Kentucky, this vault holds a significant portion of the U.S. gold reserves . Let’s delve into the depths of Fort Knox, its history, its role in safeguarding America’s gold, and the myths surrounding this iconic facility.

The History of Fort Knox

The beginnings:.

Established in 1936, the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox is a storage site for U.S. gold reserves and other precious items of the U.S. government. The facility was built when many feared the world was on the brink of another World War, making the safekeeping of national treasures a top priority.

Architectural Marvel:

Constructed from granite, steel, and concrete, its security features were unparalleled at the time. With a two-story basement and a single entrance, the depository was designed to be impregnable.

Significant Transfers:

During World War II, the Magna Carta, the U.S. Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence were stored here to protect them from potential harm.

Gold Reserves and Their Role

Amount of gold stored:.

Fort Knox holds over 147 million ounces of gold, representing many U.S. government reserves. In perspective, that’s more than half of the U.S. Treasury’s stored gold.

Purpose of the Gold:

Historically, gold acted as a standard to back U.S. currency. Although the gold standard was effectively dropped in the 1930s and finally in 1971, the metal still serves as a hedge against economic instability.

Audits and Authenticity:

To dispel rumors about the gold’s authenticity, the U.S. Mint has conducted multiple audits. The last publicly disclosed audit was in the 1950s. Samples were drilled from the gold bars to test their purity and match their recorded value.

The Security Measures at Fort Knox

Layers of security:.

A 22-ton blast door protects the vault, and layers of physical security, alarms, video cameras, minefields, barbed razor wire, electrified fences, and the nearby stationed U.S. Army post ensure its continued safety.

No Unauthorized Access:

No one individual knows the complete set of protocols to access the vault – it requires multiple high-level officials to coordinate an entrance. This safeguard ensures that the chance of unauthorized access is nearly impossible.

Highly Trained Personnel:

The United States Mint Police, a special law enforcement agency, protects Fort Knox. Their training and mandate are tailored to safeguarding the nation’s gold reserves and other assets.

Myths Surrounding the Fort Knox

Empty vault rumors:.

One of the most persistent myths is that Fort Knox is empty. Conspiracy theorists have long speculated that the U.S. government sold its gold reserves, though there’s no evidence to support this.

Invincibility:

It’s commonly believed that Fort Knox is impenetrable. While it’s incredibly secure, no facility is 100% invulnerable. That said, Fort Knox remains one of the world’s most secure facilities.

Goldfinger:

The James Bond movie ‘Goldfinger’ furthered myths about Fort Knox, painting it as the ultimate target for villains. It portrayed a fictional plot to contaminate the gold supply, making it invaluable.

The Current Role and Future of Fort Knox

Symbol of financial security:.

Even if the U.S. does not rely on the gold standard anymore, Fort Knox stands as a symbol of economic strength and stability.

Modern-Day Treasury:

Apart from gold, it’s believed that Fort Knox holds significant historical documents and items of immense value, safeguarding them for future generations.

Fort Knox in Popular Culture:

Beyond the myths and legends, Fort Knox has become a cultural touchstone. It’s referenced in music, movies, and literature as an emblem of security and wealth.

Fort Knox, with its immense gold reserves and storied history, remains an iconic representation of American wealth and security. Its legacy, from its role during WWII to its depiction in pop culture, ensures that it will continue to captivate the imagination for future generations. For those interested in gold, the legacy of Fort Knox underscores the metal’s timeless value and significance in the global economic landscape.

If you are interested in learning more about gold and other precious metals, American Bullion is a great resource. They offer a wide range of products and services, including gold and silver coins and bars, as well as gold IRA services. They also have a team of knowledgeable professionals who can help you navigate the market and make informed decisions about your investments. Contact American Bullion today to learn more about how you can diversify your portfolio with precious metals.

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Money Talks News

Tales of Fort Knox

Posted: April 29, 2024 | Last updated: April 29, 2024

Behind the imposing walls of the United States Bullion Depository lies a riveting history far more intriguing than its glittering gold reserves.

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