Near Spartanburg in Spartanburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Camp Croft
[Marker Front]:
Camp Croft, constructed in 1940-41, was named for Greenville native Maj. Gen. Edward Croft (1875-1938). The pillars from the main gate stand nearby. Camp Croft was one of nine U.S. Army Infantry Replacement Training Centers during World War II. More than 250,000 soldiers took basic and specialty training courses here. Camp Croft contained more than 600 buildings, almost half of them barracks, on a 19,000 acre site between S.C. Hwys. 56 and 176.
[Marker Reverse]:
Units at Camp Croft were designated as the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Infantry Training Regiments. The camp also housed as many as 900 German prisoners of war between 1944 and 1946, who were hired out to work on local farms and forests. Camp Croft was deactivated and sold to the Spartanburg County Foundation in April 1947. 7000 acres of it became Croft State Park (now Croft State Natural Area), while the rest was developed for industries and homes.
Erected 2004 by Spartanburg County Historical Association. (Marker Number 42-26.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Places • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1947.
Location. 34° 55.122′ N, 81° 50.928′ W. Marker is near Spartanburg, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. Marker is on Southport Road (State Highway 295) 0.1 miles west of Patch Drive, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spartanburg SC 29302, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Welcome to Glendale Shoals (approx. 1.7 miles away); Battle of Cedar Spring (approx. 1.7 miles away); Spartanburg County War Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away); American Legion Memorial Archway (approx. 3.7 miles away); Purple Heart Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away); Spartanburg Confederate War Monument (approx. 3.9 miles away); Pacolet River Heritage Preserve (approx. 3.9 miles away); Welcome to Croft State Natural Area (approx. 3.9 miles away); Old City Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away); Converse Heights (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spartanburg.
Regarding Camp Croft. The Camp Croft Infantry Replacement Training Center was officially activated on January 10, 1941 as part of the Fourth Service Command, with housing for some 20,000 trainees and support personnel. Most trainees that came to the camp were from New York, Pennsylvania, and New England. The trainees received 13 weeks of basic training. They learned how to use the M-1 rifle, the Browning Automatic Rifle, anti-tank rockets, cannons, and mortars. They also received training in chemical and amphibious warfare.
Also see . . .
1. Camp Croft, South Carolina. (Submitted on November 7, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina.)
2. United States Army Infantry School. The United States Army Infantry School is located in Fort Benning, Georgia. (Submitted on November 3, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. 6th Infantry Regiment (United States). The 6th Infantry Regiment (“The Regulars”) was formed in 1812. (Submitted on November 3, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. 7th Infantry Regiment (United States). The United States Army's 7th Infantry Regiment, known as "The Cottonbalers" from an incident that occurred during the Battle of New Orleans, while under the command of Andrew Jackson, when soldiers of the 7th Infantry Regiment held positions behind a breastwork of bales of cotton during the British attack. (Submitted on November 3, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
5. 8th Infantry Regiment (United States). Constituted 5 July 1838 in the Regular Army as the 8th Infantry. (Submitted on November 3, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
6. 9th Infantry Regiment (United States). The 9th Infantry Regiment is one of the oldest and most decorated active units in the United States Army. (Submitted on November 3, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
7. 10th Infantry Regiment (United States). Constituted 3 March 1855 in the Regular Army as the 10th Infantry. (Submitted on November 3, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Notable People at Camp Croft
Notable people who came through Camp Croft include:
• Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger whom become a naturalized U.S. citizen in June 1943.
• Actor Zero Mostel best known for his role in the movie The Producers.
• Retired U.S. Army Major Richard Winters. Most people will know him as "Dick" Winters in the HBO series Band of Brothers based on a book by Stephen Ambrose.
• Former NY mayor Edward Irving "Ed" Koch
— Submitted November 5, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,480 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 3. submitted on June 19, 2010, by Wes Cox of Union, South Carolina. 4, 5. submitted on November 3, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 19, 2010, by Wes Cox of Union, South Carolina. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. submitted on November 5, 2008. 16, 17. submitted on November 9, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 18. submitted on November 3, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 19, 20. submitted on November 5, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 21. submitted on November 5, 2008. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.