Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Camp MacArthur
World War I Training Headquarters
Photographed by James Hulse, August 5, 2022
1. Camp MacArthur Marker
Founded July 18, 1917, to train 32nd Division, National Guard, in first world war. Capacity was 45,074 - at time when Waco had a population of 32,000.
First had troops from Michigan and Wisconsin; later, Arkansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas. The 32nd went to France in Feb. 1918.
MacArthur became an infantry replacement and training camp and officers training school. Demobilized 11,000 in Dec. 1918.
McLennan County Historical Survey Committee, 1966
Erected 1966 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 666.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is July 18, 1917.
Location. 31° 34.82′ N, 97° 10.355′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. It is at the intersection of North 19th Street and Park Lane Drive, on the left when traveling north on North 19th Street. The marker is located at the southeast corner of a grocery store parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3801 North 19th Street, Waco TX 76708, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Site of Texas Christian University (approx. one mile
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Camp MacArthur. Waco History
The camp consisted of administration offices, a tent city, a base hospital, and a number of other military buildings. Loretta Johnston, a nurse at the hospital in 1918, described the base as very pleasing to the eye and the hospital as a pleasant place for [the] sick and convalescent soldiers. Johnston also wrote of a recreation hall in the hospital which housed parties and dances for the nurses and officers on weekends. Source: Amanda Sawyer(Submitted on August 11, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
2. Arthur MacArthur Jr. Wikipedia
Arthur MacArthur Jr. (June 2, 1845 September 5, 1912) was a lieutenant general of the United States Army. He became the(Submitted on August 11, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)military Governor-General of the American-occupied Philippines in 1900; his term ended a year later due to clashes with the civilian governor, future-U.S. President William Howard Taft.Photographed by James Hulse, August 5, 20222. The Camp MacArthur Marker near the intersection
His son, Douglas MacArthur, was one of only five men promoted to the five-star rank of General of the Army during World War II. In addition to their both being promoted to the rank of general officer, Arthur MacArthur Jr. and Douglas MacArthur also share the distinction of having been the first father and son to each be awarded a Medal of Honor.
Photographed by James Hulse, August 5, 2022
3. The view of the Camp MacArthur Marker from across the street
Public Domain - Unknown, circa 1880s
4. Camp MacArthur Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,587 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 11, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
