Macon in Bibb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Camp Wheeler
Photographed By David Seibert, January 25, 2007
1. Camp Wheeler Marker
Camp Wheeler was an army training camp during 1917-19 and 1940-46. It was named for Joseph Wheeler (1836-1906), Confederate Lt. Gen. who was born in Augusta, Ga.
The tent camp was established in 1917 after efforts of local businessmen brought Gen. Leonard Wood to Macon to inspect proposed sites. The 21,480 acre site chosen included Holly Bluff, the home of writer Harry Stillwell Edwards and formerly the plantation of Col. Andrew Jackson Lane, C.S.A., father of Mrs. Edwards.
Major General F.J. Kernan became the first camp commander in August, 1917, and troop strength reached a high point of 28,960 in July, 1918. A cavalry remount depot was at nearby Mogul, and a range was at Phillips Station. The camp closed in April, 1919. The leased site was returned to its owners, and part later became Herbert Smart Airport.
In 1940 Camp Wheeler was re-opened on 14,394 acres of the original site and was used as a training camp until December 1943. Colonel A.R. Emery was the first camp commander. Troop capacity was 25,890. A 1,000 bed hospital and a prisoner-of-war camp were included in the new camp. Solders trained during 1941-43 totaled 218,000.
After the war the camp was again dismantled and the leased land returned to its owners.
Erected 1987 by Georgia Department
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World I • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1919.
Location. 32° 48.693′ N, 83° 32.498′ W. Marker is in Macon, Georgia, in Bibb County. Marker is on Joe Tamplin Industrial Boulevard, 0.1 miles west of Riggins Mill Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Macon GA 31217, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rev. Vincent A. Tharp Home (1809) (approx. 3.3 miles away); Battle of Griswoldville (approx. 3.7 miles away); Railroad Overpass (approx. 3.9 miles away); The Dunlap House (approx. 4.1 miles away); The Battle of Dunlap Hill-Stoneman's Raid (approx. 4.1 miles away); Archaic Period 8000 B.C.E. - 1000 B.C.E. (approx. 4.1 miles away); Southeast Mound (approx. 4.1 miles away); William Bartram Trail (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Macon.
January 19, 2016
2. Camp Wheeler Marker
View to the west along Joe Tamplin Industrial Boulevard.
Photographed By Richards Film Service, February 10, 1918
3. 106th Supply Train, Major Carl L. Seals, commanding, Camp Wheeler, Ga., Feb. 10th, 1918
Photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Photographed By Richards Film Service, February 7, 1918
4. 117th Field Artillery, Lt. Col. Nelson E. Margetts, commanding, Camp Wheeler, Ga....
Photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,935 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 12, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on January 19, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2015. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
