HISTORY

Gen. U.S. Grant and party at Fort Sanders, 1868.
 
The Cavalryman Supper Club is located on the parade grounds of historic Fort Sanders, established in July of 1866. Originally named Fort Buford, for Major General John Buford, the post was designated Fort Sanders on September 5, 1866, in honor of Brigadier General William P. Sanders.

In its heyday, the Fort Sanders Military Reservation protected the Overland and Lodgepole Creek emigrant routes, the Denver-Salt Lake City stage route, and the construction crews for the Union Pacific Railroad.

The post headquarters were laid out according to standard military plans around a parade ground some 400 ft. by 200 ft. in size. Troops from Companies A and F of the Third Battalion, 18th Infantry, and Company G of the 2nd Cavalry salvaged logs from the decommissioned Forts Collins
and Halleck to build the barracks and kitchens, as well as the officers’ quarters on the southeastern side of the parade grounds. Ruins of the fort’s powder keg are visible just southwest of the restaurant’s main building.

The Cavalryman building was built in 1925 to serve as the clubhouse for the local country club. Just to the east, remnants of the nine-hole golf course can still be found. On March 1, 1970, Robert & Betty Gerard founded the Cavalryman Supper Club in its present location. The Cavalryman quickly became known as a great, unique western steakhouse. Marion Griffin owned and operated the restaurant from 1975 to 2005. In January 2006, a group of local entrepreneurs purchased the restaurant with the intent of honoring its rich tradition.

Please enjoy our piece of history and feel free to ask our staff if you have any questions.