Camp Cody, New Mexico facts for kids
Camp Cody, located near Deming, New Mexico, was an important United States Army camp during World War I. It operated from 1916 to 1919, serving as a training ground for thousands of soldiers.
What Was Camp Cody?
During World War I, Camp Cody was a busy training camp for the National Guard. Soldiers from states like North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa came here to prepare for war. These different units joined together to form the 34th Infantry Division. They were nicknamed the "Sandstorm Division" because of the camp's desert location. The camp was also built to help protect the US border during a time of tension with Mexico.
Building the Camp
The government built Camp Cody during the summer of 1917. It was a huge project! To house the 30,000 troops who trained there, workers built 120 mess halls (where soldiers ate) and 1,200 bathhouses. Each group of soldiers, called a regiment, had its own office building. It also took 11 large warehouses to store all the supplies needed for the division. A big hospital was also built, which was used even after the war ended.
How Camp Cody Got Its Name
Before it was called Camp Cody, the site had other names. During a conflict along the US-Mexican Border, it was known as "Camp Brooks." Then, at the start of World War I, it was renamed "Camp Deming." The camp received its final name, "Camp Cody," shortly after the death of the famous American frontiersman and showman, William F. Cody (1846–1917). He was better known as "Buffalo Bill Cody." The camp was officially open from July 16, 1916, until early 1919.
Images for kids
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Camp Cody, New Mexico, June 1918.
