Camp White facts for kids

This concrete structure on Upper Table Rock was built to look like a fortified area, helping soldiers train for battles in Europe.

Camp White was an important training base for the U.S. Army during World War II. It was located in Jackson County, Oregon, in the United States. This camp also held prisoners of war (POWs) during the war. The camp was named after George A. White, who was a top military leader for Oregon starting in 1915.

History of Camp White

Building the Training Base

Just five days after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the U.S. Congress approved $27 million. This money was used to turn the Agate Desert area into Camp White. A part of Upper Table Rock was also used for soldier training. The camp officially opened on September 15, 1942.

Training Soldiers for War

Many soldiers trained at Camp White. They took part in a large practice battle called the Oregon Maneuver. This exercise happened in the fall of 1943. At its busiest, Camp White covered almost 50,000 acres. About 40,000 people lived or worked there. This made it the second-largest "city" in Oregon at that time!

After the War

Camp White was closed down in April 1946 after the war ended. There was a post office at Camp White from 1942 to 1960. After that, its name was changed to White City. This is the name of the town that grew where the camp used to be.

The Camp White Story Documentary

The Camp White Story: Southern Oregon Goes to War is a special documentary about Camp White. It was made by Southern Oregon Public Television (SOPTV). This film shows how the quiet area of Southern Oregon changed during World War II. It focuses on the Camp White military base.

The documentary shares the experiences of the soldiers who trained there. Some even called it the "Alcatraz of Boot Camps" because of its tough training. The film also explores how the military base affected the local economy. This program was made with help from the Camp White Military Museum.