Mercedes in Hidalgo County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Camp Mercedes

Photographed By James Hulse, January 24, 2021

1. Camp Mercedes Marker

Inscription.

In March 1917, prior to U.S. entry into World War I, Maj. Gen. John J. Pershing chose Mercedes as the site of a permanent camp for training personnel to serve overseas in France. Construction of Camp Mercedes on the 80-acre Emerson Farm tract southeast of town was completed in April 1917. The post centered on a parade ground lined by 23 barracks buildings and 14 look-alike officers bungalows. Post strength was 16 officers, 700 men and 600 horses. A training cadre from the 16th Cavalry under the command of Col. W.S. Scott occupied Camp Mercedes in May before the first recruits arrived May 17. After the Armistice, the unit was demobilized and Camp Mercedes closed in 1922.

Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17130.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1917.

Location. 26° 8.53′ N, 97° 54.513′ W. Marker is in Mercedes, Texas, in Hidalgo County. Marker is at the intersection of East 10th Street and Florida Avenue, on the left when traveling east on East 10th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 East 10th Street, Mercedes TX 78570, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Temple Beth Israel (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dr. Héctor P. García

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Mercedes City Hall (approx. half a mile away); The Hidalgo County Bank and Trust Company (approx. half a mile away); The American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation System (approx. 0.6 miles away); Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. ¾ mile away); Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ebony Grove Cemetery (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mercedes.

Also see . . . Mercedes Texas.

Camp Mercedes and Camp Llano Grande, located outside the town, were home to 15,000 soldiers during World War I. On April 15, 1918, the Mercedes City Council passed an ordinance making it illegal during the duration of the war for anyone to speak German or any other language used by the enemy, "in any school, public or private"; it was also made illegal "to advertise any trade, profession, or business by name or sign or to preach, lecture, or entertain in the German language." Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on January 29, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed By James Hulse, January 24, 2021

2. Camp Mercedes Marker

The view of the Camp Mercedes Marker from the road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, January 24, 2021

3. The view of the Camp Mercedes Marker from the road

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 29, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.