Camp Bowie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Camp Bowie
|
|
|---|---|
Camp Bowie Armory
|
|
| Nickname(s):
Camp Bowie Training Facility
|
|
 Camp Bowie
Location in Texas
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Brown |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9,297 acre (3,762 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,458 ft (444 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
76801
|
| Area code(s) | 325 |
Camp Bowie is a special training center for the Texas Military Department. It is located in west-central Texas, just outside the city of Brownwood. Soldiers go there to practice and improve their skills.
Contents
The Story of Camp Bowie
Camp Bowie is named after James Bowie, a famous Texas hero. It was a very important place for military training during World War II. In fact, it was the third camp in Texas to be given this name. From 1940 to 1946, it grew into one of the biggest training centers in Texas.
Why Camp Bowie Was Built
In 1940, there was a big war happening in Europe. Because of this, the United States Congress decided that the country needed to make its defenses stronger. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was given the power to call up the National Guard units. These are like part-time soldiers who can be called to serve when needed.
The 36th Division of the Texas National Guard was supposed to train at Camp Bowie, which was then located in Fort Worth. But before their training was even finished, the United States joined the war.
Building the Camp
On September 19, 1940, the War Department announced that a new military camp would be built in Brownwood, Texas. Work on the site started very quickly, just eight days later, on September 27, 1940. This camp was the first major defense project in Texas. Many people were available to help build it.
Prisoners of War at Camp Bowie
In 1943, some prisoners of war arrived at Camp Bowie. These were soldiers from Germany who had been captured during the war. About 2,700 of these men worked as day laborers on farms in central Texas. They helped with farm work during their time at the camp.
After the War
After World War II ended, on August 1, 1946, the War Department announced that Camp Bowie was no longer needed for its original purpose. It was declared "surplus," meaning it was extra. A group called the Civilian War Assets Administration took over. They started to give out the land and buildings for other uses.
Recent Times at Camp Bowie
In July 2008, Camp Bowie had a large grass fire. Several hundred acres of dry, grassy areas at the facility were burned.
Today, Camp Bowie is still an active military training station. It has recently built new facilities, including a firing range for target practice and several places to store ammunition safely.
