Camp Shelby

Camp Shelby (1917-Present) - First established on 18 Jul 1917 during World War I as a National Guard training post. Named after Col. Isaac Shelby, first governor of Kentucky, veteran of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Active military installation.

Camp Shelby Marker Front

Camp Shelby Marker Back

World War I

Established on 18 Jul 1917 during World War I as a National Guard training post for the 38th Division and then Federalized. The post was active during World War I between August 1917 and September 1918. On 3 Dec 1918 it was designated a demobilization center, on 13 Mar 1919 it was ordered salvaged and on 15 Oct 1919 it closed.

During the World War I build up the post grew to 1,206 buildings and hosted a tent city designed for 36,000 troops. after the war all the buildings were demolished but four. In 1934 the post reverted to the State of Mississippi for use as a National Guard training post.

World War II

Camp Shelby was federalized in 1940 in anticipation of World War II and expanded in size to 86,000 acres with much new construction. In addition to normal troop training functions, Camp Shelby trained WAC units, maintained a large convalescent hospital for returning wounded, and housed a German POW camp. The post close shortly after the end of World War II.

Current Status

Active Mississippi National Guard installation.

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Location: Camp Shelby, Forrest County, Mississippi. Maps & Images Lat: 31.18634 Long: -89.25137 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 300'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 451

Links:

• North American Forts - Camp Shelby
• Wikipedia - Camp Shelby
• Mississippi Armed Forces Museum

Visited: 19 Feb 2010

Camp Shelby Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!

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  Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby