Camp Dawson (West Virginia)
Encyclopedia
Camp Dawson is a West Virginia Army National Guard
facility in Preston County
, West Virginia
, USA.
Camp Dawson was established on May 7, 1909 when the West Virginia Legislature
authorized the purchase of 196.5 acre (0.79520799 km²) of land on Dunkard Bottom along the Cheat River
. The camp was named in honor of William M. O. Dawson
, a native of Preston County, who had served as governor of the state from 1905-1908. Troops first trained at Camp Dawson during that summer and continued until the entry of the U.S. into World War I
in 1917. The camp was not used again until 1928 when it was reestablished as a training site for the West Virginia State Militia. Units trained regularly at the camp until the outbreak of World War II
at which time the state government leased the camp for use as a prisoner of war
facility.
Since the original land purchase, six additional tracts have been acquired by the installation bringing the total acreage to 4177.5 acres (16.9 km²). Training opportunities that are unique to the site and its environs, such as the very rugged local terrain, have attracted U.S Army units and sister military services (both Active and Reserve) for many years.
West Virginia Army National Guard
The West Virginia Army National Guard is the United States Army component of the West Virginia National Guard. It has 38 units and activities stationed in 22 counties throughout West Virginia and overseas. The WV ARNG currently has units supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and...
facility in Preston County
Preston County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 29,334 people, 11,544 households, and 8,357 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 13,444 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, USA.
Camp Dawson was established on May 7, 1909 when the West Virginia Legislature
West Virginia Legislature
The West Virginia Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of West Virginia. A bicameral legislative body, the Legislature is split between the upper Senate and the lower House of Delegates. It was established under Article VI of the West Virginia Constitution following the state's...
authorized the purchase of 196.5 acre (0.79520799 km²) of land on Dunkard Bottom along the Cheat River
Cheat River
The Cheat River is a tributary of the Monongahela River in eastern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Via the Monongahela and Ohio rivers, it is part of the Mississippi River watershed, ultimately draining into the Gulf of Mexico.-Geography:The Cheat is formed at...
. The camp was named in honor of William M. O. Dawson
William M. O. Dawson
William Mercer Owens Dawson was the 12th Governor of West Virginia.-External links:* *...
, a native of Preston County, who had served as governor of the state from 1905-1908. Troops first trained at Camp Dawson during that summer and continued until the entry of the U.S. into World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in 1917. The camp was not used again until 1928 when it was reestablished as a training site for the West Virginia State Militia. Units trained regularly at the camp until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
at which time the state government leased the camp for use as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
facility.
Since the original land purchase, six additional tracts have been acquired by the installation bringing the total acreage to 4177.5 acres (16.9 km²). Training opportunities that are unique to the site and its environs, such as the very rugged local terrain, have attracted U.S Army units and sister military services (both Active and Reserve) for many years.