Our Sons at Camp Dodge - 1917

Front Cover, Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eaafb085

Title Page, Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eac97fc2

The biggest thing in Iowa is Camp Dodge at Des Moines.

It was built in sixty days at a cost of $3,500,000 to house 45,000 soldiers under training to fight for democracy in the war trenches of Europe.

The Register and The Tribune, realizing its importance and cognizant of a desire among Iowa people to know all about it, have collected in this booklet a hundred pictures of views at the camp and of persons connected with it, which give a perfect understanding of the great patriotic school.

For those who cannot pay a personal visit to Camp Dodge the book supplies the most complete information obtainable in the most attractive form.

For those who are able to visit the Camp the book affords and invaluable and indispensable souvenir.

The volume appears at an appropriate time -- the holiday season, when the minds of every person is on the war and the part that Iowa boys must bear in the struggle is uppermost in the thoughts of all. 

The 100,000 subscribers of The Register and Tribune family, whose new 13-story stone building at 713-717 West Locust street in Des Moines, is nearing completion, join in holiday greeting to the people of Iowa and in dedication of this book to The Soldiers of Camp Dodge.

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 1. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eacd0458

Image: 14eacd0458 Clockwise from upper left

a. Each man sets up his own bed upon arriving at camp.

b. Their first drill.

c. Dessert after mess.

d. Straw with which mattresses are filled.

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 2. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eae56aa1

Image: 14eae56aa1

Above: Dean Holmes Cowper leading singing at Y.M.C.A.

Below: 152nd Infantry Band.

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 3: Five Views of the Camp. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eae63ce2

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 4. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eb16406f

Image: GGA Image ID # 14eb16406f

Top: Mess-room set for noon meal.

Bottom: Lining up to be served.

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 5. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eb1caa4c

Image: 14eb1caa4c

Top: Studying French at YMCA

Bottom: In One of the Canteens

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 6. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eb45f003

Image: 14eb45f003 Clockwise from Top Left

a. George Whitmer, First Member of New Army to Register at Camp Dodge

b. Bernard Anderson (Center), One of the Largest Men in Camp

c. Temporary Base Hospital

d. One of the Hospital Inmates

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 7: Three Views of the Camp. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eb693e8f

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 8. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eb6d2df4

Image: 14eb6d2df4 Clockwise from upper left

a. Colonel James P. Harbeson

b. Colonel Chas. W. Castle

c. Brigadier General S. M. Foote

d. Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln

Major General Edward H. Plummer, Commander of Camp Dodge. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eb983209

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 9. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ebd4a308

Image 14ebd4a308

Top: Y.M.C.A. Auditorium

Center: Writing letters home in the Y.M.C.A. writing room

Below: Around the fireplace in the Y.M.C.A.

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 10: Negro Contingents Arriving from Alabama and Glimpses of their First Drills. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ec60a93c

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 11. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ec9af8ad

Image: 14ec9af8ad

Top: Section of Base Hospital

Middle: Parade ground west of camp where 20,000 men sometimes drill together.

Bottom: Part of the remount station

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 12. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ecd8750f

Image 14ecd8750f: Clockwise from upper left

a. Old brick house at Camp Dodge, the first division headquarters

b. General Plummer's Camp Dodge home

c. New division headquarters

d. Camp Dodge freight depot

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 13: Sports and Exercise. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ecfb5a19

Image 14ecfb5a19: Clockwise from upper left

a. Making a broad jump

b. Hurdle-jumping on horseback

c. Watching the world's series scoreboard

d. Setting-up exercises

Panoramic View of Camp Dodge Looking South from Center of the Camp. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ed340f87

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 14: First Members of the New National Army Arriving on Registration Day. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ed4d3498

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 15. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14edd2227e

Image 14edd2227e: Clockwise from upper left

a. Reading the "Camp Dodger," official newspaper of the 88th division

b. Selecting their new overcoats

c. Doing his own laundry

d. Register-Tribune "Smokes for Soldiers" parade, in which Camp Dodge soldiers participated.

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 16. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ede6a15a

Image 14ede6a15a: Clockwise from upper left

a. View of Camp Dodge fire fighters and apparatus

b. View of Camp Dodge fire fighters and apparatus

c. Million-gallon reservoir from which Camp Dodge receives its water

d. Barracks partially destroyed by fire.

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 17. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14edf80ff3

Image 14edf80ff3

Top: Division headquarters motorcycle squad

Bottom: General Plummer entering his official car and view of Camp Dodge looking south from Depot street.

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 18. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ee5a3a4d

Image 14ee5a3a4d: Clockwise from upper left

a. Lined up at registration building on first registration day

b. Audubon County contingent arriving for registration

c. Their last chance to "take things easy," awaiting their turn to register

d. Filling their mattresses with straw

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 19. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ee62c379

Image 14ee62c379: Clockwise from upper left

a. Receiving officers who registered new soldiers

b. Lieutenant Colonel B. P. Howell

c. Colonel Bonnycastle

d. Colonel G. E. Houl

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 20. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ee745096

Image 14ee745096: Clockwise from upper left

a. Target drill

b. Artillery drill

c. Bayonet drill

d. Folks from home watching drills

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 21: At Drill and Play on the Company Streets. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ee764ca9

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 22. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ee772f58

Image 14ee772f58: Clockwise from upper left

a. Site of Camp Dodge in June, 1917, before building operations commenced

b. Trench-digger with which sewer ditches were dug

c. Soldier boys unloading coal

d. Part of Base Hospital

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 23. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ee80feec

Image 14ee80feec:

Top: Part of the ambulance equipment

Below: Red Cross Nurses at Base Hospital

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 24. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14eef4334c

Image 14eef4334c: Clockwise from upper left

a. One of the eight Y.M.C.A. buildings

b. Methodist Church

c. Presbyterian Church

d. Knights of Columbus building

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 25. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ef00b851

Image 14ef00b851: Clockwise from upper left

a. Colonel S. C. Vestal

b. Colonel H. J. Price

c. Brigadier General W. D. Beach

d. Lieutenant John Fogarty

e. Captain John Quigley

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 26. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14ef6342ce

Image 14ef6342ce: Clockwise from upper left

a. A typical kitchen force

b. Peeling potatoes for mess

c. Governor Lowden of Illinois (center of group), visiting Camp Dodge

d. French army officers visiting Camp Dodge

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 27. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14efa6f855

Image 14efa6f855

Top: Board walk on Main avenue looking north from Eleventh street

Middle: "Newspaper Row," headquarters of Des Moines newspapers

Bottom: Camp mascots

Camp Dodge Photographs, Series 28. Our Sons at Camp Dodge: A Book of Pictures by the Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune, 1917. GGA Image ID # 14efbda55f

Image 14efbda55f: Clockwise from upper left

a. Library Building

b. Y.W.C.A. building

c. House-cleaning day

d. The trenches

Administrative History Note

This post was named in honor of Maj. Gen. Grenville M. Dodge, who commanded Iowa volunteers during the Civil War. The installation was established on June 18, 1917, to serve as a training camp for the 88th Division (National Army). Construction began on June 19, 1917, and continued through 1918. Camp Dodge was designated as a demobilization center on December 3, 1918, and was discontinued in 1922.

Bibliography

"Our Sons at Camp Dodge," The Des Moines Register and Evening Tribune pictorial, undated, 1917.

War Department. Camp Dodge, Iowa. 6/18/1917-1922 Organization Authority Record