Prince in Fayette County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Army Camp
New River Gorge National River
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 3, 2024
1. Army Camp Marker
Camp Prince, or Army Camp as it was known locally, was a site operated by the 1428th Engineer Float Bridge Company. It opened around 1950 as a training and testing ground for the quick assembly of temporary floating bridges. These bridges were used for stream crossings of military equipment. There were between 100 and 150 soldiers stationed here at any one time. Each training session in the assembly of these bridges took approximately six to eight weeks. The temporary bridge building came to an end in 1957 and the camp closed for good in the early 1960's.
All that remains of Army Camp today is a concrete water tank along the riverbank and the foundations and concrete floors of the 11 buildings that were utilized by the soldiers.
Today, Army Camp is used as a campground, as well as a day use area for fishing, picnicking, nd relaxing in the peaceful beauty of New River Gorge National River. Enjoy your stay in your national park!
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1428.
Location. 37° 51.517′ N, 81° 5.917′ W. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the New River Gorge and in Greater Charleston Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Army Camp's Special Species (a few steps from this marker); Camp Prince Army Station (approx. 0.8 miles away); America's Best Idea (approx. 1½ miles away); Fayette County / Raleigh County (approx. 1½ miles away); Fire and Friends (approx. 2.1 miles away); Grandview Monitor (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Ingram House Foundation (approx. 2.7 miles away); Black Gold (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prince.
Additional commentary.
1. Camp Prince
Fortunately, in 1951 and at the last minute, the orders for our fathers Ohio National Guard unit at Fort Belvoir were changed from Korea to Beckley, WV. At Camp Prince there were no barracks or latrines. For the first month, it rained - it poured! Rainwater ran through the tents. Everything was wet, and it was cold (but oh so much better than being in Korea).
Eventually our fathers unit built the commissary and he was given the opportunity to run it. This probably distracted him a little from being away from his newlywed wife and infant son. Even though
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 16, 2020
2. Army Camp Marker
Our father talked about the poverty and that many men paid women to launder, iron, sew buttons and mend their uniforms. He talked about finding stills and drinking moonshine. When he popped popcorn, a fellow from New Jersey couldnt believe it as he thought popcorn just came in bags. Our grandparents drove from Sandusky Ohio to visit and brought along Lake Erie perch to fry for all the guys.
— Submitted May 14, 2026, by Cheryl Glass-Schell of Sandusky, Ohio.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 409 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on March 7, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 2. submitted on November 29, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
