Fort Roosevelt, California

Fort Roosevelt was located at Roosevelt Elementary School in Hanford, California. It was a 1-acre (4,000 m2) fort surrounded by almost 1000 telephone poles in the style of a fort from the Old West. Outdoor education was delivered there and Fort Roosevelt became a nationally recognized model for environmental education in schools. The fort included a wildlife rehabilitation center that served the entire San Joaquin Valley. As a tourist attraction, it drew 30,000 visitors a year. The facility was started by then-principal Jim Parks beginning in the late 1960s. Heidi Arroues was the fort's facilitator from 1983 to 2005.

In 2005, the Hanford Elementary School District's board of trustees decided not to make needed repairs to Fort Roosevelt and the fort was demolished despite public opposition.

A film called Fort Roosevelt Requiem has been made by filmmaker David Dibble who had experienced the fort as a child.[1]

References
  1. http://www./fortroosevelt.com/ accessed 7-4-09
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