Lawrence-Fort Ben-Oaklandon in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Civilian Military Training Camp Latrines
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, July 25, 2025
1. Civilian Military Training Camp Latrines Marker
Five brick shower houses with latrines were built in the 1920s as part of the Civilian Military Training Camp (CMTC).
The restrooms included flush toilets. Coming on the heels of World War I, flush toilets were a new modern convenience in military life. Coal chutes in the buildings indicate that the buildings were heated and perhaps even had hot water for showers. Water for the buildings may have come from nearby springs.
When the CMTC was converted to other uses in the 1940s, the shower houses remained. They served the WWII Prisoner of War Camp and the disciplinary barracks that were located here.
When the area became a state park in the 1990s, the buildings were converted to storage and other uses.
Erected by Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. In addition, it is included in the If You've Got to Go... series list.
Location. 39° 51.558′ N, 86° 1.172′ W. Marker is in Lawrence, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Lawrence-Fort Ben-Oaklandon. It is on Scout
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana and specifically in Greater Indianapolis. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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 and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Citizen's Military Training Camp (CMTC) (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Citizen's Military Training Camp (CMTC) (about 500 feet away); Welcome to Camp Glenn (about 500 feet away); Fort Harrison Terminal Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Spring Valley Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Return of the Natives
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, July 25, 2025
2. Civilian Military Training Camp Latrines Marker in context
Another marker is no longer nearby. Fort Benjamin Harrison (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
