Hilltop in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Camp Chase
The Historic National Road in Ohio
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 5, 2016
1. Camp Chase Marker
close up of marker
In July 1861, a small prison was erected at Camp Chase to handle the influx of political prisoners or disloyal citizens. The prison was enlarged to accommodate Confederate prisoners of war in the fall of 1861. By March 1862 the prison consisted of three separate prisons and over 1,200 prisoners, mostly officers captured from Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in Tennessee. The prison population continued to increase and numbered 9,045 in February 1865, but overcrowding, food shortages and poor sanitation resulted in outbreaks of typhoid fever and other diseases resulting in many deaths.
None of the original Camp Chase exists today except for the cemetery. The Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery is located south of here on Sullivant Avenue two blocks west of Hague Avenue and contains over 2,100 Confederate soldier’s graves.
Some 25,000 Confederate captives and over 150,000 Union troops, along with four future presidents (Andrew Johnson, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, and William McKinley), passed through Camp Chase during the Civil War.
Erected 2014 by The Ohio National Road Association, Inc. and The Hadler and Peppe Families
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #17 Andrew Johnson, the Former U.S. Presidents: #19 Rutherford B. Hayes, the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield, the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley, and the The Historic National Road series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1861.
Location. 39° 57.276′ N, 83° 4.719′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Hilltop. Marker is on West Broad Street (Old National Road) (U.S. 40) west of South Roys Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in front of West Gate Lodge F & AM No 623. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2925 West Broad Street, Columbus OH 43204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Camp Chase (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery (approx. ¾ mile away); This Confederate Cemetery (approx. ¾ mile away); 2260 Confederate Soldiers (approx. 0.8 miles away); Confederate Cannonball (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 5, 2016
2. Camp Chase Marker
full view of marker, in front of Masonic Lodge
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 5, 2016
3. Camp Chase Marker
marker can be seen at a distance, from the driveway
Photographed By A. Ruger - Ehrgott, Forbriger & Co., circa 1865
4. Bird's eye view of Camp Chase near Columbus, Ohio. National Archives G4084.C6:2C3A3 186- .R8
Recent research has determined that the site of Camp Chase’s main gate was adjacent to the present West Gate Masonic Lodge on West Broad Street, pert of the National Road in Columbus. The original stockade, Prison No. 1, encompassed only ½ acre and accommodated 450 prisoners. In November 1861, Prison No. 2 was built, adding 3 more 100-foot by 15-foot barracks. Prison No. 3 was built in March 1862 on an additional 3 acres.
Photographed By Manfred M. Griswold, circa 1865
5. Prison interior, Camp Chase, ca. 1861-1865
The above photograph shows Confederate prisoners assembled outside their barracks at the camp.
National Archives, circa 1865
6. Camp Chase
Above is a view of the rows of barrack buildings at the camp.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 501 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on June 13, 2019, by J. Wesley Baker of Springfield, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 1, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
