On July 4, 1776, Congress adopted the draft of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. The colonial army had already been fighting battles for freedom at places such as Lexington and Concord. Since then, many men and women have defended the rights of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” which our nation enjoys. For a large number of soldiers, their military careers included training at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.
The history of Fort Oglethorpe as a military base is familiar to many older residents, but less so to those who were born after the Fort closed in 1946. The origin of the Fort is linked to the creation by Congress of the Chickamauga National Military Park in 1895 to commemorate the Civil War battle. The following year, Congress permitted training maneuvers to be conducted inside the nation’s military parks, including Chickamauga. Camp Thomas was established to train soldiers for the Spanish-American War. In 1904, a permanent cavalry post was opened a few miles north of Chickamauga Park, and named “Fort Oglethorpe,” honoring James Oglethorpe, founder of the Georgia colony.
Constructed at a cost of $1,000,000, Fort Oglethorpe was the largest cavalry post in the country. Over 1,200 soldiers could be housed in the barracks and officers’ quarters. The stables sheltered up to 1,500 horses, and were supported by three blacksmith shops, two hay sheds, and a wagon shop. The buildings faced a large, oval parade ground and band stand. Two reservoirs on the post held up to 275,000 gallons of water. Fort Oglethorpe was later expanded through additions such as a gymnasium and theater.
Though soldiers spent considerable time in military exercises, they also had free time for activities such as polo, tennis, and trips to downtown Chattanooga. The presence of the Fort had a large impact on the Chattanooga area’s economy and culture. Many soldiers passed through Fort Oglethorpe on their way to overseas action during both World Wars. John J. Pershing and Dwight Eisenhower were stationed at Fort Oglethorpe during World War I. During World War II, the Fort served as an induction center, and later, a final stop before receiving a discharge from service. A unit of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was established in the South Post, and celebrated its first anniversary in 1943 with a show that included a song featuring these verses…
“F-O-R-T Oglethorpe, to you we sing our praise.
F-O-R-T Oglethorpe, Trainees your voices raise.”
“Marching feet are echoing
Over Historic ground
When we leave you, Oglethorpe
You know the WAAC will be Victory Bound.”
President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited the Fort in 1943. It was FDR’s second inspection of a military training center, and the first that included a WAAC unit. A program was held for the President on the parade ground. He also toured the Chickamauga Battlefield. Fort Oglethorpe gained fame during WWII for its testing of the Army jeeps, which were a major departure from the days of the cavalry’s horses. During both wars, German prisoners were housed at the post.
In 1946, a streamlining of the nation’s military included the closing of Fort Oglethorpe. Area residents not only lamented the loss of dollars into the economy, but also the connectedness which they felt to the nation’s defense. The disposal of the property was handled by the War Assets Administration. A resident of Fort Oglethorpe recently shared with me his memories of taking inventory of the surplus items, and hauling them to a garage located where First Baptist Church of Fort Oglethorpe is today. He recalled that Lafayette Road was a two-lane, country road between Rossville and the Fort. As the area became more urban, there were interests in developing the entire post for new residential and commercial uses. Preservationists were successful in saving many of the original buildings, and the homes and other structures on Barnhardt Circle give us a glimpse into the area’s military past.
If you have memories of Fort Oglethorpe, please send me an e-mail at jolleyh@signaldata.net.