Have you ever come across an old building foundation covered in brush and weeds and wondered about its history? That’s exactly what historians Shana Rawls and Robert Bear did when they decided to dive deep into Camp Wallace's history. Camp Wallace's legacy and impact are an integral part of Galveston's military history during World War II and the Galveston County Museum offers an exhibit on the camp.
Camp Wallace Museum Artifacts
In honor of Veterans Day, the November Unboxing History podcast shines a spotlight on Camp Wallace, a military site that played multiple roles during World War II. From hosting a training facility to serving as a separation center and even housing prisoners of war, Camp Wallace’s history is multifaceted. The Galveston County Museum’s collection connected to Camp Wallace includes a handkerchief, a pillowcase, a postcard, and a separation center brochure.
The pillowcase includes this poem, “To one who bears the sweetest name and adds a luster to the same, Who shares my joys and cheers when sad, The greatest friend I ever had, Long life to her, for there's no other could take the place of my dear mother.”
The separation center brochure offered specific instructions on the last 72 hours of a sailor’s days of service including meal times and what to wear when they left the camp for home.
Delving Deep into Camp Wallace’s Story
Shana Rawls, a Camp Wallace historian, explains the 1,600-acre camp, detailing its layout and functions. From its use as a training ground to its post-war transformation into a community hub, Camp Wallace stands as a significant testament to Galveston's contribution to World War II. Initially, the camp served as a training camp for US Army soldiers. At its peak, it housed over 10,000 military and civilian soldiers and had nearly 400 buildings. This included barracks for POWs, separate barracks for the colored soldiers, a hospital, and more.
Later, the camp was transferred to the US Navy and became a separation center, which helped prepare military personnel to transition back into civilian life. The camp was closed in 1946.
The Camp Wallace Book
Shana Rawls and Robert Bear's book “History of Camp Wallace” has 500 pages of postcards, photos, and historical records, inviting readers to explore Camp Wallace in depth.
In her research, Rawls found this poem written by P. L. Mainbetter, and titled, A Hitch in Hell.
“I'm sitting here and thinking of the things I left behind. I hate to put on paper what is going through my mind. We've dug a million ditches, And we've cleaned 10 miles of ground. We've drunk our beer and whiskey in every joint in town. But there is one consolation, gather round me while I tell. When we die, we'll go to heaven, for we've done our hitch in hell…
When the final taps are sounded, and we've laid aside life's cares, we'll stand our last inspection on the shining stairs. The angels there will welcome us, a harp will sharply play, we'll draw a million canteen books and spend them in a day. Then we'll hear St. Peter tell us loudly with a yell. Take a seat you boys from Wallace. You've done your hitch in hell.”
The book can be purchased at the Old School Museum at 13304 Highway 6, Santa Fe, Texas. More information at https://www.ci.santa-fe.tx.us/community/page/old-school-museum
Exploring Galveston’s Military Heritage
Visitors to the Galveston County Museum can view military exhibits, including a section dedicated to Camp Wallace, featuring photos and stories of the county’s rich military history. The Museum’s military history section also focuses on the Battle of Galveston during the Civil War, Fort Travis on the Bolivar Peninsula, Fort San Jacinto and Fort Crockett on Galveston Island and the Hitchcock Naval Air Station. Throughout Galveston County, remnants of these historical sites offer tangible connections to the past.
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