Near Camp Douglas in Juneau County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wisconsin Military Reservation

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

1. Wisconsin Military Reservation Marker

Inscription. Following the Civil War, state officials reorganized the Wisconsin Militia and in 1879 renamed it the Wisconsin National Guard. Adjutant General Chandler P. Chapman of Madison, a veteran of the famed Iron Brigade, purchased 440 acres near the Village of Camp Douglas, which was used for rifle practice beginning in 1888. Chapman transferred the land to the State shortly thereafter. The original tract was enlarged and became known as the Wisconsin Military Reservation. National Guard training camps were conducted at the Military Reservation, and within a few years Wisconsin troops had earned a national reputation for marksmanship and other soldiering skills. Four regiments of the Guard were rapidly mobilized for duty at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War (1898), demonstrating the efficiency of the state's training program. Guard units mobilized on the grounds during both World Wars.

In 1927 the Wisconsin Military Reservation was renamed Camp Williams in honor of Lt. Col. Charles R. Williams, the training camp's Quartermaster who is buried on the site. Hundreds of thousands of Guard members have been trained on the

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installation since 1900. In 1957 the state legislature ordered the portion of the Reservation used by the Air National Guard to be named Volk Field in honor of Lt. Jerome A. Volk, the first Wisconsin fighter pilot killed in action during the Korean Conflict.

Erected 1991 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 299.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. 43° 55.511′ N, 90° 15.662′ W. Marker is near Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, in Juneau County. It can be reached from County Highway C north of Interstate 90/94. Marker is located inside Volk Field / Camp Williams military base, beyond the security checkpoint, on Williams Street east of Wisconsin Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Independence Drive, Camp Douglas WI 54618, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

2. Wisconsin Military Reservation Marker

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: In memory of 1st Lt. Jerome A. Volk (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wisconsin Winnebago Veterans Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Castle Rock (approx. ¼ mile away); Eroding Sandstone Bluffs (approx. 2.9 miles away); The Big Lake (approx. 2.9 miles away); Volk Field Air Strip (approx. 2.9 miles away); Mesas and Buttes (approx. 3 miles away); Long Bluff (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camp Douglas.

Also see . . . Volk Field Air National Guard Base. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on June 10, 2010.)

Additional commentary.
1. Access to the marker
The public can only go in when the museum is open, Wednesday to Sunday before 3 pm.

— Submitted October 9, 2022.

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

3. Wisconsin Military Reservation Marker

Static Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

4. Static Display

F-86H "Sabre"

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

5. Static Display

P-51D "Mustang"

Korean War Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

6. Korean War Memorial

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

7. P-51 Plaque

Volk Field / Camp Williams Memorial Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

8. Volk Field / Camp Williams Memorial Cemetery

Charles Robert Williams (1870-1926) is buried at the left edge of the cemetery. His son, Robert Wells Williams (1900-1918), is buried in the center of the cemetery.

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

9. Main Gate

Wisconsin National Guard
Volk Field
Camp Williams

Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,908 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 10, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.