Camelback East Village in Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Papago Park's Military History

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, August 29, 2015

1. Papago Park's Military History Marker

Inscription. The military use of Papago Park began in 1909 when the northwest corner of the Park was withdrawn from the public domain for military purposes. This area was used by the 158th Infantry Regiment of the First Arizona Volunteer Infantry (National Guard) as a small arms target and rifle range. Subsequent usages have included a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp (1933-1938); a training ground for an infantry regiment at the outset of World War II; a prisoner of war camp (1942-1946); an Army Reserve Center since 1952; and headquarters for the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs since 1975. This adobe structure, which houses the Arizona Military Museum, was built in 1936-1937 by the Works Progress Administration as an arsenal for the state’s quartermaster regiment.

Erected 2006 by The Arizona State Society and the Grand Canyon Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 33° 28.009′ N, 111° 58.146′ W. Marker is in Phoenix, Arizona, in Maricopa County.

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It is in Camelback East Village. It can be reached from East McDowell Road. Marker is at the Arizona Military Museum located at Papago Park Military Reservation (entry at main guard gate). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5636 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix AZ 85008, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert

and in the Tohono O’odham Nation.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Gadsden Purchase,

and Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hunt Bass Hatchery (approx. 1½ miles away); Arizona's First Zoo (approx. 1.6 miles away); George W. P. Hunt / Arizona's First Governor (approx. 1.8 miles away); Papago Escape Tunnel (approx. 1.8 miles away); How I Came to be Here (approx. 2.6 miles away); Sallie D. Hayden (approx. 3.1 miles away); Site of Hayden's Ferry (approx. 3.1 miles away); Hayden House (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Phoenix.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Papago Park Prisoner of War Camp (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, August 29, 2015

2. Papago Park's Military History Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, August 29, 2015

3. Papago Park's Military History Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,264 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 31, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.