Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Camp John Wise

Photographed by James Hulse, August 18, 2026

1. Camp John Wise Marker

Inscription.
In January 1918, a temporary aviation camp was established near the intersection of Olmos and McCullough Avenues for the training of Observation Balloon Companies. It was named in honor of John Wise, a balloonist who produced the Army’s first operational balloon for service in the Civil War. Camp John Wise closed in March 1919 and the buildings were demolished. This granite block formed part of the foundation of one of the camp’s temporary buildings.

Erected by Fort Sam Houston Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Forts and Castles. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1918.

Location. 29° 26.666′ N, 98° 27.673′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Fort Sam Houston. It is at the intersection of Liscum Road and Staff Post Road on Liscum Road. The marker is accessible through the Fort Sam Houston Museum’s outside exhibit. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1405 E Grayson St, Jbsa Ft Sam Houston TX 78234, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also

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in the American South.

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 walking distance of this marker: M-3 Antitank Gun 37mm Towed (a few steps from this marker); M-3A1 Halftrack Personnel Carrier (a few steps from this marker); M-M2A2 Howitzer 105mm Towed (a few steps from this marker); M-3A1 Scout Car (a few steps from this marker); The Quadrangle Oak (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Features (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Quadrangle: Quartermaster Depot (about 400 feet away); Cannon and the Tower (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

More about this marker. Fort Sam Houston is an active military installation. Appropriate identification is required for access

Also see . . . Camp John Wise. Wikipedia

Camp John Wise is a former United States Army military garrison, located
Photographed by James Hulse, August 18, 2026

2. Camp John Wise Marker
The granite block is left of the marker.
in San Antonio, Texas. During World War I it was used as a training field for the U.S. Army Balloon Corps between 1917 until 1919.

The airfield was one of thirty-two Air Service training camps established in 1918 after the United States entry into World War I. It was named for John Wise of Philadelphia, a pioneer balloonist who constructed a balloon in which he set a world distance record in 1869.

(Submitted on August 21, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed by James Hulse, August 18, 2026

3. Camp John Wise Marker

The view of balloon beds from the air over Camp John Wise image. Click for full size.

Public Domain via U.S. Army and Wikipedia Comments, circa 1918

4. The view of balloon beds from the air over Camp John Wise

Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 21, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.