Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
1918 Diamond Jubilee 1993 Camp Benning / Fort Benning
In October 1918, the Infantry School of Arms was established on 80 acres of land near here. Camp Benning, later Fort Benning, was named in honor of Confederate Infantry General Lewis Benning, a Columbus resident. The camp’s first commander was Col. Henry Eames. Constructed in just 7 days, the temporary camp had some 300 tents, mess halls, offices and warehouses. It was built under the supervision Major J. Paul Jones. Hundreds of thousands of young men received their military training under the watchful eye of such legendary military leaders as Marshall, Eisenhower, Stilwell, Collins, and Patton here at the Infantry School.
Side 2:
Fort Benning's mission has always been to train infantrymen for their task of defending the nation. Fort Benning, now located south of Columbus on some 200,000 acres, is the free world’s largest infantry training facility. Fort Benning has trained infantrymen who have fought with pride in all the nation’s military involvements for more than half a century. During World War II, the Cold War, the wars in Korea, Vietnam, and Panama, as well as Desert Storm, infantrymen have fought and died to keep this nation free. This marker honors the infantrymen who have for the past 75 years trained at the Home of the Infantry.
Erected 1993 by Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Carl Patrick Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Forts and Castles • War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm • War, Cold • War, Korean • War, US Civil • War, Vietnam • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1918.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 32° 28.451′ N, 84° 57.146′ W. Marker was in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. Marker was at the intersection of 15th Street and Dixon Drive, on the right when traveling east on 15th Street. The marker was located on 15th Street where 15th Street and Dixon Drive join together at the Macon Road intersection. Macon Road (to the east) changes names to Wynnton Road heading west at this intersection. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this location, measured as the crow flies. Camp Benning (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carson McCullers (approx. ¼ mile away); He Helped Bring And Keep Fort Benning (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wynnton School Library (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Cedars (approx. half a mile away); “Wildwood” (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Elms (approx. one mile away); Leonard Spring (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Fort Benning. Detailed information on the history and present status of Fort Benning. (Submitted on October 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,304 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 11, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.