Camp Smith (Wisconsin) facts for kids

Camp Smith was a small fort built a long time ago, in the 1800s. It was located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, right next to the Fox River. This fort was a temporary home for soldiers from another nearby fort called Fort Howard. They moved there because of a sickness called malaria that was spreading.

History of Camp Smith

In 1820, a military leader named Colonel Joseph Lee Smith became the commander of Fort Howard. Around the same time, a sickness called malaria was spreading in the area. Malaria is a disease carried by mosquitoes that can make people very sick.

To keep his soldiers safe, Colonel Smith decided to build a new, temporary fort. He chose a spot on the east side of the Fox River. Later that year, the new fort, named Camp Smith, was finished. All the soldiers from Fort Howard moved there to avoid the sickness.

Colonel Smith left in 1821. The new commander decided it was safe to move the soldiers back to Fort Howard. So, Camp Smith was officially closed down in 1822, just two years after it was built.

What Happened to Camp Smith?

Today, the place where Camp Smith once stood is part of Heritage Hill State Historical Park. This park helps people learn about the history of the area.