Random Things about Fort Knox (12 items)

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  (#11) Fort Knox Emerged As A Symbol Of Strength From Pro-Democratic Propaganda

  In 1941, part of the US campaign against Hitler and the Nazis included playing up democracy and the strength of the US. The Fort Knox vault and gold served as symbols of said strength. Journalist Taylor Edmond proposed using the gold to "encourage" foreign politicians in their support of the US.

  During the Cold War in the 1950s, the CIA undertook Operation Mockingbird to control and disseminate information on their activities, including about Fort Knox. Ironically, the existence of Operation Mockingbird feeds into skepticism and conspiracy theories about the gold at Fort Knox. 
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  (#3) The Government Won't Show The Public How Much Gold Is In Fort Knox

  Despite continued inquiries, the US Mint refuses to offer up proof of the exact amount of gold held at Fort Knox. Few people have ever entered the vault, and while 147.3 million ounces of gold allegedly exists inside, the accuracy remains in doubt.

  In 2008, presidential candidate Ron Paul unsuccessfully called for an audit of the US Federal Reserve and Fort Knox, but his skepticism echoed that of other conspiracy theorists. 
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  (#2) Very Few People Have Seen The Gold At Fort Knox

  In August 2017, US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin visited the gold vault at Fort Knox and, along with a few other politicians, surveyed the site. Kentucky congressman Brett Guthrie also made the trip, and issued the following statement:

  It was an honor to join Secretary Mnuchin, Governor Bevin, and Senator McConnell to visit the depository yesterday - the first time visitors have been allowed at the facility since members of Congress inspected the depository in 1974... I am glad to report that everything at the depository looked to be secure and in order.

  The last Congressional visit prior to this occurred in 1974. To date, only one US president has been inside the vault - Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who served as president when the US Bullion Depository within Fort Knox was established. 
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  (#5) The Gold Vault Has A Door That Weighs 22 Tons

  The gold vault at Fort Knox is "encased in 16,000 cubic feet of granite and 4,200 cubic yards of cement." The door weighs 22 tons and is 21 inches thick, and the roof is bomb proof.

  The vault can withstand guns, blowtorches, and other incendiary devices. 
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  (#12) Fort Knox Was Named For The First US Secretary Of War

  The first fortifications at the future location of Fort Knox were established during the Civil War. Located in Kentucky, the site served as a military outpost from the late 19th century until the first World War. In 1918, the government set up an artillery training facility on 40,000 acres of land in Kentucky and named it Camp Henry Knox, after the first Secretary of War. 

  After World War I ended, the number of troops at the camp was reduced, with part of the land briefly becoming a national forest. In 1931, Camp Knox became permanent home to the Mechanized Cavalry, and in 1932, the name changed to Fort Knox. 
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  (#7) The US Mint Handpicks Fort Knox Personnel

  The US Mint chooses the guards who make up the US Mint Police and guard Fort Knox. US Mint Police officers undergo extensive training in "weapons handling, movements, danger areas, cover management, contact and cover, 360-degree security, cornering, door entry, room clearing, and breaching."

  Military troops from around the country train at Fort Knox, and until 2010, every member of the Mechanized Cavalry spent time at the site. 

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