Radcliff and Fort Knox share a uniquely close relationship that dates back to the establishment of both communities in 1919 when Horace McCullum divided land he owned along Wilson Avenue into lots and sold them at auction. He named the new community after his friend Major William Radcliffe, head of the Quartermaster Corps at the newly established Camp Henry Knox. The military camp expanded in 1932 and was renamed Fort Knox.
During World War II, thousands of U.S. Army soldiers trained at Fort Knox and spent much of their free time in Radcliff. Since then, Radcliff has grown exponentially, thanks almost exclusively to Fort Knox. In the mid-1950s an estimated 800 people lived in Radcliff, but in the years that have followed, the city’s population has grown an astounding 2,700 percent. Nearly 23,000 people call Radcliff home today.
Radcliff continues to enjoy a working partnership with Fort Knox through its dedication to supporting Fort Knox soldiers and their families as well as the nearly 50,000 veterans who live in the region. Here are just a few examples:
- Service members and veterans are honored at community festivals.
- Returning troops are welcomed home and their families are championed while they are deployed.
- School leaders work closely with Fort Knox leadership to ensure the needs of military children are met.
- The local healthcare system works with Ireland Army Health Clinic to ensure military families have access to the most advanced medical treatments in the specialties they need most.
- Local law enforcement agencies partner with security on post to provide Fort Knox families with one of the safest places to live in America.
- Local chambers of commerce host quarterly community partnership dinners with Fort Knox leadership to further develop strong working relationships.
- Workforce development professionals are always ready to assist military spouses and transitioning service members find work.
- The 120-bed Carl M. Brashear Radcliff Veterans Home opened in 2017 to provide compassionate care to area vets.
- Many area businesses offer military discounts.
In addition, the Radcliff-Fort Knox Convention and Tourism Commission has worked since 1988 to promote the region’s rich history and various attractions, resulting in an economic boost for northern Hardin County worth tens of millions of dollars annually.
