Camp Swift, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Camp Swift, Texas
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Main entrance to the Camp Swift facility of the 10th Mountain Division during World War II
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Bastrop |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12.1 sq mi (31.4 km2) |
| • Land | 12.0 sq mi (31.2 km2) |
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.2 km2) |
| Elevation | 440 ft (134 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,943 |
| • Density | 655.2/sq mi (253.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Zip Code |
78602
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| FIPS code | 48-12334 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1867544 |
Camp Swift is a small community in Bastrop County, Texas. In 2020, about 7,943 people lived there. It started as a training base for the United States Army in 1942. The camp is named after a famous soldier, Major General Eben Swift.
Contents
History of Camp Swift
In January 1942, the U.S. Army decided to build a large training camp near Bastrop, Texas. They wanted to finish it very quickly, in just 108 working days. During World War II, 2,700 buildings were built at Camp Swift. None of these original buildings are still there today. After the war, they were sold or given away and moved to other places. For example, the gymnasium was moved to Whitney, Texas, and is still used by a school district.
During World War II, Camp Swift also held German prisoners of war. At one point, there were 10,000 prisoners. At the same time, about 90,000 American soldiers (called GIs) were training there. This made Camp Swift one of the biggest army training camps in Texas.
In 1944, the 10th Mountain Division trained at Camp Swift. The 2nd Infantry Division trained there from mid-1945 to early 1946. The camp also taught nurses how to help soldiers in battle. In total, about 300,000 soldiers trained at Camp Swift before the war ended.
After World War II, most of the land was given back to its original owners. The U.S. government kept about 11,700 acres for military use. They also kept a smaller piece of land for a prison called FCI Bastrop.
Since 2011, the Texas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol has held its yearly encampment at Camp Swift. This is a one-week training program for young members who are learning to be leaders.
What Happens at Camp Swift Today?
Today, the United States Army Corps of Engineers owns Camp Swift. However, the Texas Military Forces manage it. It is a training center for many groups, including:
- The National and State Guard
- Active armed forces
- Law enforcement
- JROTC (a program for high school students interested in the military)
- The Civil Air Patrol
Camp Swift is also the main place for emergency services to gather in Central Texas. It is also where the Texas Army National Guard gets ready for their missions.
Since 2007, Camp Swift has been home to the 136th Combat Arms Training Regiment. This group teaches soldiers many important skills. They offer courses for different military jobs, leadership training for officers, and other special classes.
Camp Swift has many facilities for training, such as:
- Classrooms for learning
- A gas chamber for special training
- An airborne drop zone for parachute practice
- Ranges for shooting rifles and pistols
- Helicopter landing sites
- A course for learning how to navigate using maps
Where is Camp Swift?
Camp Swift is located in the middle of Bastrop County, Texas. It is about 37 miles (60 km) east of Austin. It is also about 7 miles (11 km) north of the city of Bastrop. Texas State Highway 95 runs along the western side of Camp Swift. This highway connects Bastrop to the south and Elgin to the north.
The community covers about 12.1 square miles (31.4 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
People of Camp Swift
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 7,943 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850–1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 |
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Camp Swift Population in 2020
| Race | Number of People | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 2,476 | 31.17% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 457 | 5.75% |
| Native American (NH) | 30 | 0.38% |
| Asian (NH) | 22 | 0.28% |
| Other Race (NH) | 37 | 0.47% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 139 | 1.75% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 4,782 | 60.2% |
| Total | 7,943 |
In 2020, there were 7,943 people living in Camp Swift. There were 1,444 households and 1,025 families.
Education in Camp Swift
Students in Camp Swift go to schools in the Bastrop Independent School District. Most children attend Lost Pines Elementary School. A small part of the community goes to Mina Elementary School. All students then go to Bastrop Intermediate School, Bastrop Middle School, and Bastrop High School.
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