history of fort eustis History buffs need to look no further than the historic triangle and Hampton Roads community. Located in the epicenter of some of our nation’s greatest historical sites and museums, Fort Eustis has played a role in our nation’s history for almost a century. Fort Eustis sits on land that was thriving rural farm community until it became a training ground for troops during World War I. Read on to discover more about this rich military history. When entering World War I in 1917, the United States was suddenly faced with two problems that it would find recurring throughout the 20th Century. One issue was the need to train large numbers of Soldiers in a short time, and the other was to find training areas large enough to accommodate the ranges of modern weapons. In response, the government purchased Mulberry Island in 1918 for $538,000 and created a 7,000-yard firing range for the Coast Artillery School at Fort Monroe. At the time of purchase, Mulberry Island was a rural farm community consisting of 130 tracts owned by more than 200 individuals, some of whose families had lived here for many generations. Their ancestors had watched the history-making events of the American Revolution as well as the Civil War. Mulberry Island was also home in the 1600s to John Rolfe, husband of Indian princess Pocahontas. In March 1918, construction began on Mulberry Island, later called Camp Eustis after Brevet Brigadier General Abraham Eustis, the first commandant of the Artillery School of Practice at Fort Monroe. Ground was broken for the first office building in April. By August, living space had been constructed for several thousand troops who would receive training before reporting overseas. The camp was used as a Coastal Artillery Replacement Training Center and balloon observation school. Even after the World War I armistice was signed, construction continued in anticipation of Camp Eustis being made
a permanent post. In January 1923, Camp Eustis was made a permanent installation and redesignated Fort Eustis. Since 1918, the post has seen various mission changes, training demands, population and budget shifts, and numerous exercises and deployments. It has served as a basic and specialized training center for the field artillery, a range for light bombing practice by airplanes from nearby Langley Air Force Base, and a federal prison and correction camp for short-term prisoners (i.e. bootleggers during prohibition). During World War II, it became an anti-aircraft artillery training center and interned nearly 6,000 Italian and German prisoners of war. In 1946, it became the home for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps Center and School. Fort Eustis has grown from a rural farming community into a modern Army community. It is composed of modern family housing, barracks and shopping areas, as well as outstanding training and recreation facilities, a large helicopter airfield and a port for watercraft training. While you are here, take advantage of the time to learn more about the rich heritage of your new home by visiting the Army Transportation Museum and the Matthew Jones House, both on Fort Eustis, as well as the historical treasures in the surrounding area.
Fort Eustis Installation Guide & Directory •