Fun at the Fort

Fun at the Fort. . , Life at Fort Snelling wasn't all hard work, there was also a lot of play. The Army knew that recreation was important for troops' health and happiness, and built many athletic fields and facilities here. This won Fort Snelling the nickname "the country club of the Army.", Soldiers at Fort Snelling played on many sports teams. The fort's baseball and hockey teams played in amateur leagues and the football team competed against nearby colleges. Soldiers also played basketball games in the Fort Snelling gymnasium. The fort also hosted volleyball, curling, and track and field events and shooting competitions. Playing basketball in the Fort Snelling gym, c. 1936, WPA Negative Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, Troops wages "sham battles" for the public and demonstrated trench mortars, howitzers, and other weapons for the crowds. Sham battle staged by 151st Field Artillery, Fort Snelling, 1917, Minnesota Historical Society, Skiing and snowshoeing were popular during Minnesota's long, chilly winters. These activities also helped troops learn to move through snowy terrain. The Third infantry was known as the Alpine Chasseurs of the U.S. Army. Films of their winter sporting events were used as training videos across the nation. Soldiers on maneuvers on skis and snowshoes, Fort Snelling, 1942, Minnesota Historical Society, Troops often played cards during their free time in the barracks' day room. Each barracks also had pool tables, pianos, and writing desks. Soldiers playing cards at Fort Snelling, c. 1940, Minnesota Historical Society, The Officers' Clubhouse was the hub of social life at the fort, especially for the women who lived here. Officers' wives hosted dances, card games, and dinner parties. The Ladies Reading Club and the Ladies Bridge Club both met regularly at the Officers' Club. Two women relax on the porch at the Officers' Club at Fort Snelling, 1936, Kenneth Melvin Wright, photographer, Minnesota Historical Society, The Army built a pool at the fort in the 1920s. Soldiers dug the hole themselves and a building from another part of the fort was brought in for a bathhouse. Pool, 1938, Quartermaster Report, Fort Snelling (Minn.) Building Records, Circa 1905-Circa 1969, Minnesota Historical Society, Polo was popular for players and spectators. Officers put on tournaments each year, some with international teams. Civilian spectators flocked to the fort to watch the fast-paced matches. Polo, Fort Snelling, 1926, Minneapolis Journal, Minnesota Historical Society, One of Fort Snelling's biggest attractions was Whiskey, "the smartest horse in the Army." Captain William Hazelrigg trained Whiskey to play dead, bow, and perform extraordinary jumps over flaming hurdles. Whiskey, famed Army horse at Fort Snelling, prepares for the military and civilian horse show, c. 1930, Minnesota Historical Society