Near Camp Douglas in Juneau County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wisconsin Military Reservation
Photographed By Keith L, June 6, 2010
1. Wisconsin Military Reservation Marker
Inscription.
Wisconsin Military Reservation. . Following the Civil War, state officials reorganized the Wisconsin Militia and in 1879 renamed it the Wisconsin National Guard. Adjutant General Chandler P. Chapman of Madison, a veteran of the famed Iron Brigade, purchased 440 acres near the Village of Camp Douglas, which was used for rifle practice beginning in 1888. Chapman transferred the land to the State shortly thereafter. The original tract was enlarged and became known as the Wisconsin Military Reservation. National Guard training camps were conducted at the Military Reservation, and within a few years Wisconsin troops had earned a national reputation for marksmanship and other soldiering skills. Four regiments of the Guard were rapidly mobilized for duty at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War (1898), demonstrating the efficiency of the state's training program. Guard units mobilized on the grounds during both World Wars. , In 1927 the Wisconsin Military Reservation was renamed Camp Williams in honor of Lt. Col. Charles R. Williams, the training camp's Quartermaster who is buried on the site. Hundreds of thousands of Guard members have been trained on the installation since 1900. In 1957 the state legislature ordered the portion of the Reservation used by the Air National Guard to be named Volk Field in honor of Lt. Jerome A. Volk, the first Wisconsin fighter pilot killed in action during the Korean Conflict.
Following the Civil War, state officials reorganized the Wisconsin Militia and in 1879 renamed it the Wisconsin National Guard. Adjutant General Chandler P. Chapman of Madison, a veteran of the famed Iron Brigade, purchased 440 acres near the Village of Camp Douglas, which was used for rifle practice beginning in 1888. Chapman transferred the land to the State shortly thereafter. The original tract was enlarged and became known as the Wisconsin Military Reservation. National Guard training camps were conducted at the Military Reservation, and within a few years Wisconsin troops had earned a national reputation for marksmanship and other soldiering skills. Four regiments of the Guard were rapidly mobilized for duty at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War (1898), demonstrating the efficiency of the state's training program. Guard units mobilized on the grounds during both World Wars.
In 1927 the Wisconsin Military Reservation was renamed Camp Williams in honor of Lt. Col. Charles R. Williams, the training camp's Quartermaster who is buried on the site. Hundreds of thousands of Guard members have been trained on the installation since 1900. In 1957 the state legislature ordered the portion of the Reservation used by the Air National Guard to be named Volk Field in honor of Lt. Jerome A. Volk, the first Wisconsin fighter
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pilot killed in action during the Korean Conflict.
Erected 1991 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 299.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. 43° 55.511′ N, 90° 15.662′ W. Marker is near Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, in Juneau County. Marker can be reached from County Highway C north of Interstate 90/94. Marker is located inside Volk Field / Camp Williams military base, beyond the security checkpoint, on Williams Street east of Wisconsin Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Independence Drive, Camp Douglas WI 54618, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Additional commentary. 1. Access to the marker The public can only go in when the museum is open, Wednesday to Sunday before 3 pm.
— Submitted October 9, 2022.
Photographed By Keith L, June 6, 2010
3. Wisconsin Military Reservation Marker
Photographed By Keith L, June 6, 2010
4. Static Display
F-86H "Sabre"
Photographed By Keith L, June 6, 2010
5. Static Display
P-51D "Mustang"
Photographed By Keith L, June 6, 2010
6. Korean War Memorial
Photographed By Keith L, June 6, 2010
7. P-51 Plaque
Photographed By Keith L, June 6, 2010
8. Volk Field / Camp Williams Memorial Cemetery
Charles Robert Williams (1870-1926) is buried at the left edge of the cemetery. His son, Robert Wells Williams (1900-1918), is buried in the center of the cemetery.
Photographed By Keith L, June 6, 2010
9. Main Gate
Wisconsin National Guard
Volk Field
Camp Williams
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,232 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 10, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.