Morganfield in Union County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Camp Breckinridge
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 30, 2025
1. Camp Breckinridge Marker, Side One - Restored Marker
Army post built in 1942, on 36,000 acres, at a cost of $39,000,000. Named for John C. Breckinridge, US Vice President, 1856-60, and Confederate Secretary of War, 1865. Created as infantry training center for up to 40,000 men. Used during WWII, 1943-46, as prisoner of war camp for as many as 3,000 enlisted men of German Army. Camp deactivated in 1949. Over.
During Korean War, 1950-54, camp reopened for training of infantry. From 1954 to 1963 used for summer training of 4,500 National Guard troops. Disposal of camp by Army began in 1963. Dept. of Labor obtained 853 acres for Job Corps Training Center opened in 1965. Remaining acreage acquired by individuals, city of Morganfield and state of Kentucky. Over.
Erected by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1424.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Korean • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.
Location. 37° 41.615′ N, 87° 52.681′ W. Marker is in Morganfield, Kentucky, in Union
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-State Region and in the Western Coal Field. It is also in the American Midwest, in the South, in the Upper South, and in the Ohio River Valley. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Baseball Great (here, next to this marker); Earle C. Clements (approx. 2 miles away); George Huston (approx. 2.1 miles away); Morgan Springs (approx. 2.2 miles away); Lincoln Spoke Here (approx. 2.2 miles away); Union County, 1811 (approx. 2.3 miles away); Forrest Reconnoitered (approx. 2.3 miles away); St. Vincent's Academy (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 30, 2025
2. Camp Breckinridge Marker, Side Two - Restored Marker
More about this marker. Marker was there at least in 2013, but gone as far back as much as 2016. The marker has been replaced/restored and it is located in its original location as of 2025.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 30, 2025
3. Camp Breckinridge Marker - Restored Marker
Library of Congress
4. John C. Breckinridge:
Vice President of the United States
between 1835 and 1856
Vice President of the United States
between 1835 and 1856
Courtesy of Mr & Mrs Wendell Vaughn (aka ReedKyCacheFinders), October 20, 2013
5. Camp Breckinridge Marker - Old Marker
Courtesy of Mr & Mrs Wendell Vaughn (aka ReedKyCacheFinders), October 20, 2013
6. Camp Breckinridge Marker (reverse)
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 13, 2018
7. Missing Camp Breckinridge marker was on left (empty pole) of marker shown.
This marker has been restored.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,417 times since then and 150 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 11, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on October 1, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on September 24, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 7. submitted on September 20, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
