Jefferson Barracks Military Post facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jefferson Barracks Military Post |
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| Lemay, Missouri | |
Jefferson Barracks Red Brick Barrack Buildings.
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| Type | U.S. Military Post |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | U.S. Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1826 |
| In use | 1826–1946 |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Veterans Administration |
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Jefferson Barracks Historic District
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| Nearest city | St. Louis County, Missouri |
| Area | 337.8 acres (136.7 ha) |
| Built | 1826 |
| Built by | Quartermaster Corps |
| Architectural style | Military vernacular |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001492 |
| Added to NRHP | February 1, 1972 |
The Jefferson Barracks Military Post is a historic military base. It is located on the Mississippi River in Lemay, Missouri. This is just south of St. Louis. It was a very important U.S. Army base from 1826 until 1946.
Today, it is the oldest military base still operating west of the Mississippi River. It is now used by the Army National Guard and Air National Guard. A Veterans Affairs healthcare center is also on the base. This center helps military veterans.
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History of Jefferson Barracks
In 1826, military leaders looked for a new army post. General Edmund P. Gaines and explorer William Clark were part of this search. They found a good spot near St. Louis, Missouri. The spot was approved by Major General Jacob J. Brown.
On July 10, 1826, the first soldiers arrived. They were from the 1st Infantry Regiment. They started building temporary homes. They called their camp Cantonment Miller. In 1827, the post was officially named Jefferson Barracks. This honored President Thomas Jefferson, who had died the year before. It was also the first "Infantry School of Practice." This means it was a place to train foot soldiers.
The first conflict for soldiers from Jefferson Barracks was the Black Hawk War in 1832. Troops were sent to push Native Americans back into their village. Chief Black Hawk was captured and brought to Jefferson Barracks.
In 1832, the United States Regiment of Dragoons was formed here. Dragoons were soldiers trained to fight on horseback or on foot. They were the first permanent cavalry unit in the United States Army.
Role in the Mexican–American War
Jefferson Barracks became a very important military post during the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). It was a place for U.S. troops to rest and get supplies. Most soldiers going to Mexico passed through here. It was also a main place for recruiting and training new soldiers. After the war, many returning troops came back to Jefferson Barracks.
In 1853, President Franklin Pierce chose Jefferson Davis as his Secretary of War. At Jefferson Barracks, Davis helped create the First and Second Regiments of Cavalry. These units had some of the best officers in the Army. Famous officers like Robert E. Lee served here.
Jefferson Barracks During the Civil War
During the American Civil War (1861–1865), Jefferson Barracks had two main roles. It served as a military hospital for both sides of the war. It was also a place where the North recruited new soldiers.
In 1862, a large hospital complex was built here. It could hold 3,000 patients. By the end of the war, over 18,000 soldiers had been treated at the Jefferson Barracks Hospital. Today, the Missouri Civil War Museum is being restored in an old building from 1905.
Spanish–American War and Beyond
When the Spanish–American War began in 1898, many new army units were formed at Jefferson Barracks. The base became a permanent recruiting center in 1906. This means it was always a place where new soldiers could sign up.
On March 1, 1912, Jefferson Barracks was part of an important event. Albert Berry made the first successful parachute jump from an airplane here. The plane was flown by Anthony Jannus.
World War I and World War II Efforts
During World War I, Jefferson Barracks was a training and recruitment station. Soldiers heading to Europe trained here. In the 1930s, young men could train as soldiers at the Citizens Military Training Camp. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) also had camps at the barracks.
During World War II, Jefferson Barracks was a major place for new soldiers to arrive. It was also an important basic training site for the Army. Later, it became the first Army Air Corps Training Site. The base was very large, covering over 1,500 acres. It could house many officers and soldiers.
Jefferson Barracks stopped being an active military post in 1946, after World War II ended.
After World War II
After the war, parts of Jefferson Barracks were sold. Some areas were used to build houses. Some old barracks became temporary low-cost housing. These were later torn down and replaced.
Today, the area is home to several important places:
- Two St. Louis County Parks (Jefferson Barracks County Park and Sylvan Springs County Park).
- A National Guard Base for both Army and Air Guard units.
- The Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, a burial ground for veterans.
- A Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare center.
The National Guard post at Jefferson Barracks is 135 acres. It is home to the 70th Troop Command, which is the largest brigade of the Missouri Army National Guard. Other units, like the 157th Air Operations Group, are also based here.
In the past, parts of the park were used as a landfill. Now, because of its large size, high school cross country races are often held in the park during the fall.
Museums at Jefferson Barracks
There are several museums located within Jefferson Barracks County Park. These museums help tell the story of the military post.
Jefferson Barracks Museums
These museums show the history of Jefferson Barracks from 1826 to 1946.
- The Powder Magazine Museum focuses on the base's history.
- The Old Ordnance Room has changing exhibits about military topics.
- The Laborer's House Museum shows what a typical family home looked like in the mid-1800s.
Missouri Civil War Museum
The Missouri Civil War Museum opened in June 2013. It is in the old 1905 Post Exchange and Gymnasium Building. This building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is the largest Civil War museum in Missouri. It has over 22,000 square feet of exhibits. You can see hundreds of artifacts from the Civil War. The museum also covers the history of Jefferson Barracks and veterans' groups.
Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum
This museum has a large collection of telephones. You can see phones from the 1900s to the 2000s. It also has:
- Old telephone equipment and tools.
- Military telephones from different wars.
- A working Central Office Step Switch.
- A sculpture of Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone.
The museum is self-guided and has many hands-on displays.
Military Units Formed at Jefferson Barracks
Many important Army and Air Force units were formed or based at Jefferson Barracks over the years.
Army Units
- United States Regiment of Dragoons – March 4, 1833
- 2nd Regiment of Dragoons – May 23, 1836
- Regiment of Mounted Riflemen – October 12, 1846
- U.S. 4th Cavalry Regiment – March 26, 1855 (Originally 1st Cavalry Regiment)
- U.S. 22d Infantry Regiment – December, 1865 (Originally 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment)
Air Force Units
- 157th Air Operations Group
- 131st Tactical Fighter Group, later 131st Fighter Wing, now 131st Bomb Wing
- 239th Combat Communication (CBCS) Squadron
- 266 Ground Electronics Engineering Installation Agency (GEEIA) Squadron.
- 218th Engineering Installation Squadron
- 131st Force Support Squadron
- 231st Civil Engineer Flight
- 131st Civil Engineer Squadron
