Camp Shelby in Forrest County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Service Club No. 2
World War II
| | (Non-Divisional) 1941 | |
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026
1. Service Club No. 2 Marker
In the summer of 1942, Service Club No. 2 was enlarged and renovated. With these renovations, it became the largest U.S. Army camp service club in the United States. A grand opening was held for its rededication, and included a special broadcast of WLW's (700AM) Camp Shelby Victory Salute from the dance hall. The cafeteria, which provided a respite from Army rations, was a popular favorite of both soldiers and civilians. It served three meals a day, and its waiting line often extended out onto the porch.
The Indianapolis Star (Apr. 4, 1941) wrote of one Camp Shelby service club ballroom: "There's a big main room furnished with these curved chromium chairs, the gaudiest 'juke box' you ever saw and that, fed by nickels, plays almost continually; there are several ping-pong tables, a big fireplace, and a piano." The service club's dance hall was a popular space for dances and shows. Gypsy Rose
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Soldier's Description of Service Club No. 2
"The service club is a two-story building with two wings, forming the letter T. The top of the T, or front of the building, is about 125 feet long by 30 feet wide, and the wing is about 100 feet long by 30 feet wide. The front of the building faces on Highway 24 and has two floors. On entering the lobby on the right is a modern soda fountain, with candy, cigars, and cigarettes, and on the left is a counter with Camp Shelby novelties displayed for sale as well as post cards and a registry book. On the second floor are a modern reading room and library, with thousands of books and the latest daily papers and magazines. The club is open daily for the use of camp visitors as well as the soldiers, and every evening there is some kind of entertainment, with amateur night every Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights are dance nights. Thursday night features a piano and organ playing request tunes, and nearly every Sunday night there is a concert by the bands from the camp. The club is much appreciated by the soldiers, as they have a place to take their parents and friends, instead of visiting with them in the tents." The Daily Item (Sunbury, Penn.), Oct. 10, 1941
Captions
(Photo #1) Postcard featuring Service Club No. 2 before renovations.
(Photo #2) The public relations office staff having dinner on the rear side porch of the service club in 1942.
(Photo #3) Architectural drawing of the front elevation of a U.S. Army service club type SC-3, of which Service Club No. 2 was an example.
(Photo #4) Service Club No. 2 undergoing renovations in 1942.
(Photo #5) Gypsy Rose Lee at the service club in 1944
(Photo #6) Interior of the service club's dance hall, showing stairs leading to the balcony.
(Photo #7) The service club's cafeteria in 1941.
Erected by Camp
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026
2. Service Club No. 2 Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 31° 11.753′ N, 89° 11.39′ W. Marker is in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in Forrest County. It is at the intersection of Lee Avenue and 37th Street, on the right when traveling east on Lee Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hattiesburg MS 39401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Mississippi’s 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Non-Divisional Service Club Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Theater No. 3 (within shouting distance of this marker); Field House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Camp Shelby Victory Salute (about 600 feet away); Vaudeville Theatre (approx. 1.1 miles away); 85th Infantry Division (approx. 2 miles away); Special Forces (approx. 2 miles away); "Go for Broke" (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camp Shelby.
More about this marker. The marker is located on the grounds of historic Camp Shelby, an active Mississippi
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026
3. Service Club No. 2 Marker
The view of the ruins behind the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 54 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
