FORT HILL

The Leslie Morris Park atop Fort Hill features two Civil War forts, the Sullivan House interpretive center, a picnic pavilion, a scenic downtown Frankfort overlook and several hiking trails. The park is open to vehicular traffic 11 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Guides to the trails are available at each trail head or at The Capital City Museum. Free guided tours  11 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. are available Monday- Saturday from Memorial Day through October 31. The Miller Trail is paved.

Welcome to the capital city battlefield. In 1864 local militia soldiers repulsed an attack on Frankfort by the Confederate cavalry raiders. Fort Hill is a historic site and wilderness area 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. After the Civil War, the Army quickly abandoned Fort Hill. 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 the forts and many acres of wilderness forest and meadows right in the middle of Frankfort, Kentucky's capital city. The park preserves the remains of two Civil War earthwork forts.

The Sullivan House

This log house was built near Peaks Mill in northern Franklin County around 1810. It is a “dog trot” style house similar to many frontier Kentucky houses. Several generations of the Sullivan family lived in the house. When the property on which the house stood became a wildlife refuge, the Kentucky Department for Fish and Wildlife donated it to the City of Frankfort. The structure was moved to this location in February 2000. It was renovated and is decorated as a 19th century inn, tavern, store and post office and also houses exhibits about Fort Hill, log buildings, and to serve as a site for living history activities

See more photos from inside the Sullivan House

Surrounding the historic park are over 124 acres of forest. Crisscrossed by historic dry-laid stone fences, the forest is home to many species of wildlife. A herd of deer lives on Fort Hill and quiet visitors often see them. Views of downtown Frankfort are truly spectacular from the hill.

Visitors may walk to the park from downtown Frankfort. The trail begins directly behind the Capital Plaza tower. The trail is a 19th century road virtually unchanged in over a century. Connecting trails with interpretive markers lead through the park. Vehicular access is by way of the Clifton Ave. gate on the north side of the park. For more information about the park call the Capital City Museum at  502-696-0607.

There is a full-time employee who lives on the premises.