The Corps That Built West Point

The Army Corps of Engineers was established March 16th 1802 at the United State Military Academy at West Point.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers was organized by the Continental Congress on June 16th 1775. Colonel Richard Gridley was the first chief engineer. The Corps of Engineers that we know today was authorized by President Thomas Jefferson March 16th 1802. His authorization said "that the said corps, when so organized, shall be stationed at West Point, and shall constitute a military academy." From then until 1866 the Superintendent of West Point was also the Chief of Engineers. Among these superintendents was Robert E Lee and PGT Beauregard. From the forming until 1866, all members of the Corps of Engineers where graduates of West Point, and handled all construction at the United States Military Academy.