Mineral Wells in Parker County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Fort Wolters
On October 13, 1940, the U. S. Army activated Camp Wolters as an infantry replacement center, with the support of Mineral Wells community leaders. Additional lands were bought or donated to the army by local residents to expand the camp to over 7,500 acres. In less than four months, more than 100 buildings were constructed. The original buildings of "Old" Camp Wolters were converted into a P.O.W. camp for German prisoners from North Africa. The prison camp was closed on August 15, 1946, as the last prisoners were returned to their homeland.
At its peak, Camp Wolters was home to more than 30,000 soldiers per training cycle. Among the notable war heroes that passed through the camp were Lt. Jack Knight and Audie Murphy, both of whom were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
After World War II Fort Wolters was deactivated as an army training facility and reactivated in 1951 as Wolters Air Force Base. In 1956, it was designated Camp Wolters Army Base, and was used for helicopter flight training with more than 1,000 helicopters stationed at three different heliports. The base was expanded to cover nearly 722,000 acres of land for flight training purposes. In 1963 it was designated Fort Wolters. The fort also became the site of a Nike missile installation until it reverted once again to the National Guard after the Vietnam War. Fort Wolters was officially closed for military service on February 1, 1973.
Erected 1999 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12147.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Vietnam • War, World II.
Location. 32° 49.099′ N, 98° 3.298′ W. Marker is in Mineral Wells, Texas, in Parker County. Marker is on Washington Avenue near Hood Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mineral Wells TX 76067, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. History of Camp Wolters and Fort Wolters (a few steps from this marker); Old Camp Wolters (approx. 1.3 miles away); Americal Division - 23rd Infantry Division (approx. 1.6 miles away); USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) (approx. 1.6 miles away); Weatherford, Mineral Wells and Northwestern Railway (approx. 1.7 miles away); Sam Savage (approx. 2.3 miles away); Jack Llewellyn Knight (approx. 3.1 miles away); Old Mineral Wells Post Office (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mineral Wells.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 233 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 14, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.