One hundred and seven farm families left the wheat crop in the field - forsaking their land before the harvest in 1942. The war had come to the Smoky Valley rolled up in blueprints for a U.S. Army base to be built near Smolan.
Photo courtesy Kansas Historical Society
Dr. Boo Hodges was the featured speaker this week at the Marquette Fine Arts Center. The full-time medical doctor and part time historian from Salina shared the short-lived story of Camp Phillips during his 60-minute presentation that stretched into a busy question and answer session.
Hodges said the residents sold their land at a reduced government price and much of the wheat was burned as train loads of building equipment began to arrive.
Construction hummed around the clock on the 45,000 acres of land with over 9,000 workers, employed to build housing for 45,000 troops and 5,000 civilian personnel. When completed, the small city boasted a hospital, 5 theaters, 11 chapels, over 30 warehouses, laundry facilities, a complete sewer system and some 50 miles of roads linking numerous training and target areas.
Camp Phillips operated as a training center from late September of 1942 to mid November, 1944, instructing over 150,000 U.S. Army troops and artillery soldiers. In the closing days of World War II, the camp held German POWs who helped disassemble the buildings. Many of the barracks were moved and converted to farm sheds and garages around the area.
Dr. Boo Hodges says the people he meets at events are the bridges to new stories and insights behind Camp Phillips.
