Mineral Wells in Parker County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

History of Camp Wolters and Fort Wolters

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, June 11, 2023

1. History of Camp Wolters and Fort Wolters Marker

Inscription.

History of Camp Wolters and Fort Wolters. . , The story of Camp Wolters began in 1921 with the organization of the 56th Cavalry Brigade of the Texas National Guard, commanded by Brigadier General Jacob F. Wolters. Wolters secured a federal grant in 1925 to construct the camp, which became the headquarters for all National Guard mounted cavalry in the State of Texas. The city of Mineral Wells purchased 57 acres just east of the city limits and presented it to the State of Texas for the headquarters. The original camp was located where Mineral Wells High School now stands. Located just east of the high school, a memorial to the site, Camp Wolters Historical Park, was dedicated on March 23, 2012. The memorial also includes markers commemorating the six soldiers at Camp Wolters and the seven soldiers trained at Fort Wolters who were recipients of the Medal of Honor., In 1940, Camp Wolters, now containing 7500 acres, was selected as the location of the Infantry Replacement Training Center. 18,000 men labored around the clock for 3-1/2 months to complete the center. During World War II, Camp Wolters was the nation's largest Infantry Replacement Training Center and, at its peak, housed 30,000 men at one time. The center was inactivated on January 19, 1946. , After the war, the War Department sold Camp Wolters to a group of Mineral Wells businessmen, who turned it into the Camp Wolters Enterprises, Inc. In February, 1951, the camp was reactivated and redesignated Wolters Air Force Base, housing the newly-formed Aviation Engineers Force. In 1956, the base was transferred to the U.S. Army and the Army Primary Helicopter School was established. In 1963, the base was redesignated Fort Wolters and in 1966, the post was designated the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter Center. It was the largest primary helicopter training center in the world until its closure in 1974. , Further information about Camp Wolters and Fort Wolters is available on the State Historical Marker located on the east side of Mineral Wells High School and on the State Historical Marker located a few yards from this sign., (This park site was funded through Fort Wolters Gate Committee donors 2010-2012 and maintained by City of Mineral Wells)

The story of Camp Wolters began in 1921 with the organization of the 56th Cavalry Brigade of the Texas National Guard, commanded by Brigadier General Jacob F. Wolters. Wolters secured a federal grant in 1925 to construct the camp, which became the headquarters for all National Guard mounted cavalry in the State of Texas. The city of Mineral Wells purchased 57 acres just east of the city limits and presented it to the State of Texas for the headquarters. The original camp was located where Mineral Wells High School now stands. Located just east of the high school, a memorial to the site, Camp Wolters Historical Park, was dedicated on March 23, 2012. The memorial also includes markers commemorating the six soldiers at Camp Wolters and the seven soldiers trained at Fort Wolters who were recipients of the Medal of Honor.

In 1940, Camp Wolters, now containing 7500 acres, was selected as the location of the Infantry Replacement Training Center. 18,000 men labored around the clock for 3-1/2 months to complete the center. During World War II, Camp Wolters was the nation's largest Infantry Replacement Training Center and, at its peak, housed 30,000 men at one time. The center was inactivated on January 19, 1946.

After the war, the War Department sold Camp Wolters to a group of Mineral Wells businessmen, who turned it

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into the Camp Wolters Enterprises, Inc. In February, 1951, the camp was reactivated and redesignated Wolters Air Force Base, housing the newly-formed Aviation Engineers Force. In 1956, the base was transferred to the U.S. Army and the Army Primary Helicopter School was established. In 1963, the base was redesignated Fort Wolters and in 1966, the post was designated the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter Center. It was the largest primary helicopter training center in the world until its closure in 1974.

Further information about Camp Wolters and Fort Wolters is available on the State Historical Marker located on the east side of Mineral Wells High School and on the State Historical Marker located a few yards from this sign.

(This park site was funded through Fort Wolters Gate Committee donors 2010-2012 and maintained by City of Mineral Wells)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is January 19, 1946.

Location. 32° 49.097′ N, 98° 3.291′ W. Marker is in Mineral Wells, Texas, in Parker County. It is at the intersection of Hood Road and Washington Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Hood Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Hood Rd, Mineral Wells TX 76067, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Wolters (a few steps from this marker);

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Old Camp Wolters (approx. 1.3 miles away); Americal Division - 23rd Infantry Division (approx. 1½ miles away); USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) (approx. 1.6 miles away); Weatherford, Mineral Wells and Northwestern Railway (approx. 1.7 miles away); Sam Savage (approx. 2.3 miles away); Elmwood Cemetery (approx. 2.8 miles away); Jack Llewellyn Knight (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mineral Wells.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 811 times since then and 136 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on June 14, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.