Camp Crowder
| Camp Crowder Fort Crowder |
|
|---|---|
| Neosho, Newton County, Missouri | |
| Coordinates | 36°49′5.56″N 94°22′10.19″W / 36.8182111°N 94.3694972°WCoordinates: 36°49′5.56″N 94°22′10.19″W / 36.8182111°N 94.3694972°W |
| Type | Army Post |
| Site information | |
| Owner | various |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1941 |
| Built by | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| In use | 1941-1956 |
| Demolished | 1946 |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
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Fort Crowder was a U.S. Army post located in Newton and McDonald counties in southwest Missouri, constructed and used during World War II.
Camp Crowder was a military installation named in honor of Major General Enoch H. Crowder, provost marshal of the United States during World War I and author of the 1917 Selective Service Act. The camp, located south of Neosho, Missouri, was established in 1941.
The Army selected the Neosho site for the post due to its proximity to water, a cross roads to two major railroads (Kansas City Southern and the Frisco railroads), and two major U.S. highways (US 71 running north-south and US 60 and US 66, running east-west). Originally it was to serve as an armor training center. As it was constructed, it was re-designated as a U.S. Army Signal Corps replacement training center, an Army Service Forces training center and an officer candidate preparatory school, the first of its kind at any military installation. The post also served as an infantry replacement center and had a German prisoner of war camp.
By 1943 the army had acquired 42,786.41 acres (173 km2) in Newton and McDonald counties.
Carl Reiner was stationed at Camp Crowder in the 1940s and when he created the 1960s-era The Dick Van Dyke Show, he made the post the setting where Rob and Laura Petrie, portrayed by actors Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore, met; Rob was a sergeant in Special Services and Laura was a USO dancer. Cartoonist Mort Walker was also stationed there and drew inspiration for Camp Swampy of his Beetle Bailey comic strip. Jean Shepherd featured many stories of his time at Camp Crowder in various monologues. The post is also notable as the birthplace of landmark LabVIEW programmer Michael Porter.
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