Camp Shelby in Forrest County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Latrine

Interwar & World War II

— 1935 —

Latrine Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

1. Latrine Marker

Inscription. After the selection of Camp Shelby as the permanent home of the Mississippi National Guard's training activities, construction began in 1935 on the cantonment's first structures. This brick structure was the first of four identical latrines along here to be completed by the W.P.A. Each latrine contained showers, toilets, and lavatories, and continued to be used as such throughout World War II. Although the other three like it were demolished, the first latrine was saved as a representative example and restored in 2012 to its original appearance.

Captions
(Photo #1) Aerial (1941) showing the location of the present latrine. During the early part of World War II, this area of the camp was occupied by the 134th Field Artillery.
(Photo #2) Rear view of the latrine upon completion in 1935.
(Photo #3) The latrine (front) under construction in 1935.
(Photo #4) Original blueprints for the four brick latrines.

Erected by Camp Shelby Historic Trail.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the If You've Got to Go... series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 31° 11.841′ N, 89° 13.504′ W. Marker is in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in Forrest County. It is at the intersection of Forrest Ave W and Museum Street on Forrest Ave W. The marker is located on the grounds of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 850 Forrest Ave W, Hattiesburg MS 39401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mississippi’s

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Pine Belt.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: M7 Priest Self-Propelled Gun (a few steps from this marker); M19 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); M75 Armored Personnel Carrier (within shouting distance of this marker); M5 Stuart Light Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M4A1 Sherman Medium Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M59 Armored Personnel Carrier (within shouting distance of this marker); M26 Pershing Heavy Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M578 Armored Recovery Vehicle (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camp Shelby.

More about this marker. The marker and the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum are located at the historic Camp Shelby, an active Mississippi National Guard military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.

Latrine and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

2. Latrine and Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

3. Latrine Marker

The view of the latrine on the museum grounds.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 42 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 9, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.