Near Vidal in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Iron Mountain Divisional Camp

Desert Training Center

— California-Arizona Maneuver Area —

Iron Mountain Divisional Camp Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Neal Samson, September 20, 2014

1. Iron Mountain Divisional Camp Marker

Inscription. Iron Mountain divisional camp was established at this site in the spring of 1942. One of eleven such camps built in the California-Arizona desert to harden and train United States troops for service on the battlefields of World War II. The first major unit trained here was the 3rd Armored Division followed by elements of the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Armored Divisions. In all, one million men trained in the desert before the training center was officially closed in May of 1944. The most unique feature built at this camp is the huge relief map built into the desert floor. It can still be seen. This monument is dedicated to the men and women who served here.

This monument placed by Billy Holcomb Chapter of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, Needles Resource Area.

October 13, 1985
Rededicated in 2014

Erected 2014 by Billy Holcomb Chapter of The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus in cooperation with The Bureau of Land Management, Needles Resource Area. (Marker Number 151.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Desert Training Center, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1944.

Location.

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34° 4.924′ N, 115° 7.786′ W. Marker is near Vidal, California, in San Bernardino County. Marker is on Desert Center - Rice Road (California Route 62 at milepost 90.7), on the left when traveling east. About 45 miles east of Indio on I-10 at Desert Center. Take SR-177 north to the junction with SR-62. Turn right on SR-62. At 5.4 miles east of the SR-177/62 junction the Iron Mountain Plaque will be seen at a turnout on the left. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11646 CA-62, Vidal CA 92280, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Granite Divisional Camp (approx. ¼ mile away); Palen Pass (approx. 13.8 miles away).

More about this marker. This site is the first of the desert training camps of W.W. II commemorated by E Clampus Vitus. The most unique feature at this camp is the huge relief map built on the desert floor. The Bureau of Land Management, to preserve some history of the area, worked with Bill Pearson, XNGH-1984, of the Billy Holcomb Chapter to place these plaques. All of the Desert Training Center Commemorative plaques sites have since been determined to be California Registered Historic Landmarks.
SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway

Also see . . .

Replacement Iron Mountain Divisional Camp Marker with Re-Erection Crew image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Neal Samson, September 20, 2014

2. Replacement Iron Mountain Divisional Camp Marker with Re-Erection Crew

Neal Samson, Dennis Parker, Eric Nielsen, Tim Nunn, Bill Pearson, and Dave Hicks were responsible for restoring this monument.

Desert Training Center, California-Arizona Maneuver Area. This was the largest Army base in the world covering some 18,000 square miles. It stretched from the outskirts of Pomona, California eastward to within 50 miles of Phoenix, Arizona, southward to the suburbs of Yuma, Arizona and northward into the southern tip of Nevada. It existed primarily to train U.S. forces in desert warfare for the North African campaign. (Submitted on January 4, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.)

Original Iron Mountain Divisional Camp Marker that was stolen. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, December 26, 2010

3. Original Iron Mountain Divisional Camp Marker that was stolen.

Former Iron Mountain Divisional Camp Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, December 26, 2010

4. Former Iron Mountain Divisional Camp Marker

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, December 26, 2010

5. Former Iron Mountain Divisional Camp Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,378 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on September 24, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 24, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 4, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.