Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Camp Fannin
Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2012
1. Camp Fannin Marker
Inscription.
Camp Fannin. . Numerous military bases were expanded or established throughout Texas during World War II. Originally planned as an Air Corps installation, construction of Camp Fannin began in late 1942. Named in honor of Texas revolutionary hero James Walker Fannin, Jr., the camp opened in the spring of 1943 and was formally dedicated in September. The main purpose of the camp was an Infantry Replacement Training Center (IRTC), and during its peak operation as many as 35,000 to 40,000 men were trained every four months to replace troops killed, wounded, or recalled from the war's battlefronts. In addition to the infantry training center, the camp also included a German prisoner of war facility from 1943 to 1946, and a Women's Army Corps (WAC) installation in 1944. Camp Fannin had a tremendous impact on the local economy, employing about 3,000 civilian workers and giving rise to numerous new businesses catering to the military trade. Many of the camp's facilities were later acquired by business interests and are still in use. Soldiers stationed here, as well as at least one former German prisoner, returned to East Texas to settle after the war.
Numerous military bases were expanded or established throughout Texas during World War II. Originally planned as an Air Corps installation, construction of Camp Fannin began in late 1942. Named in honor of Texas revolutionary hero James Walker Fannin, Jr., the camp opened in the spring of 1943 and was formally dedicated in September. The main purpose of the camp was an Infantry Replacement Training Center (IRTC), and during its peak operation as many as 35,000 to 40,000 men were trained every four months to replace troops killed, wounded, or recalled from the war's battlefronts. In addition to the infantry training center, the camp also included a German prisoner of war facility from 1943 to 1946, and a Women's Army Corps (WAC) installation in 1944. Camp Fannin had a tremendous impact on the local economy, employing about 3,000 civilian workers and giving rise to numerous new businesses catering to the military trade. Many of the camp's facilities were later acquired by business interests and are still in use. Soldiers stationed here, as well as at least one former German prisoner, returned to East Texas to settle after the war.
Erected 1989 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7708.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location.
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Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 32° 25.793′ N, 95° 11.747′ W. Marker was in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. It was on U.S. 271 near Hillcrest Road (County Road 3177), on the right when traveling west. Located between Farm to Market Road 3270 and Chapman Road (County Road 334). Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Tyler TX 75708, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it was in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Camp Fannin Internment Camp (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . Texas State Historical Association - Camp Fannin,. an infantry-replacement training center of World War II, was located ten miles northeast of Tyler. The reservation was a wooded, hilly site of more than 14,000 acres
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, November 27, 2023
2. Missing Camp Fannin Marker
named for James Walker Fannin, Jr. (Submitted on October 30, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2012
3. Camp Fannin Marker (center) seen along US 271 southwest bound
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,946 times since then and 98 times this year. Last updated on November 27, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos:1. submitted on October 29, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on November 27, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 3. submitted on October 29, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on October 30, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
