A special presentation on the legacy of Neosho’s World War II era Camp Crowder by historian and author Jeremy Amick will take place October 11 thanks to the efforts of the Newton County Historical Society and Neosho Arts Council. This free event will cover the early history and development of Camp Crowder in the context of the unfolding of World War II, and its continued use by the Missouri National Guard today.
“I first became interested in Camp Crowder many years ago when I was serving with the Missouri National Guard and did training exercises there. I began to learn of its rich history and when I started writing books on regional military history, it was a story that I wanted to share,” Amick said.
Amick is a veteran of the U.S. Army and Missouri National Guard, a recipient of the National History Award Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution and the esteemed Jefferson Award for his volunteerism.
The community is invited to take part in this free lecture that will also feature a visual presentation of historic photos from Camp Crowder.
“My hope is that people acquire a genuine appreciation for the rich history of Camp Crowder as it was among scores of Army camps that came to be during World War II, and most of which have faded to obscurity,” Amick said.
“We hope to see a diverse audience, including local history buffs, veterans, students, and anyone with a connection to Camp Crowder or an interest in military history,” Scott Hall, Director of the Newton County Historical Museum and Park, said. “We particularly welcome families and younger people, as it is crucial to pass these stories down to future generations. We believe this event will appeal to those who want to understand the profound changes Camp Crowder brought to our area and its lasting legacy,”
Hall also noted that this event is important because it strengthens community connections to the area’s past. “It’s a chance to honor the contributions and sacrifices of those who served and worked at Camp Crowder,” Hall added.
“The Newton County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of our community, and Camp Crowder is a monumental part of that history,” explained Hall. “Bringing a guest speaker to town allows us to provide a deeper, more detailed understanding of the camp’s significance than any static exhibit can.
According to Hall an expert like Amick can offer valuable context, share new research, and bring a different perspective to the stories of the soldiers, civilian workers, and local residents whose lives were intertwined with the camp.
During World War II Camp Crowder served as a Signal Corps training facility. At its peak it covered over 42,000 acres and housed up to 47,000 soldiers. Soldiers came from across the United States and were trained in forty different military communications specialties involving radio, radar and telephone operation, and maintenance. The first soldiers arrived at the camp just five days before the Pearl Harbor attack. Over 352 new buildings were initially built at the camp, but that was not enough and soon more construction was needed. In order to establish this camp, major improvements had to be made in roads, utilities, railroad spurs, sewage system, and numerous buildings including barracks, mess halls and training facilities.
Last year, the arts council discovered a mural created by an unknown soldier who was stationed at Camp Crowder during World War II. “We know this mural is a unique part of local and military history that we will never find again,” Sarah Serio, president of the Neosho Arts Council said. “Camp Crowder had numerous solider-artist and we have photos of several murals that were created there during the war but as far as we know none of those survived the closing of the camp in the 1950’s, until now,” Serio said.
“By collaborating with the Neosho Arts Council, we are also highlighting the intersection of history and art, which demonstrates how creative expression can be a powerful tool for historical preservation and storytelling. It provides a shared cultural experience that can bring people together and foster a sense of shared identity and pride,” Hall said.
With the end of the war in 1945, activities at Camp Crowder began to wind down. Many of the original wooden structures were sold at surplus auctions. One such building was sold to a family just outside of Neosho. Despite the structure being used for agricultural work by the family the mural remained. Over the summer the mural was carefully removed from that structure where it has been for over 80 years.
“As the arts council works to protect and preserve the recently discovered mural from Camp Crowder we also want to help share the camps history, show the impact the fine arts had on the camp, and share those stories with the public,” said Serio.
“The Legacy of Camp Crowder – World War II and Beyond” will be presented at 2:00pm at Central Campus (301 Big Spring Drive) in Neosho. The event is free and open to the community. Amick will have a selection of his military history books available for purchase after the presentation. For more information visit neoshoarts.net.
