History of Camp Douglas

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the village of Camp Douglas dates back to the mid-19th century. Officially, the settlement was planned in 1864, although the first residents appeared in these parts a little earlier. The name of the place is connected to a camp for loggers and railway workers who were developing this territory during the active expansion of the transport network in the USA. The locality received the status of an incorporated village later, in 1893.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of Camp Douglas was defined by its favourable geographical location and transport infrastructure. The main drivers of growth were:

• Railway Junction: The settlement emerged at the intersection of two major railway lines — the "Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul" and the "Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Omaha". This turned the village into an important logistics point for passenger transfers and cargo transshipment.
• Unique Landscape: The town is located in the so-called "Driftless Area", known for its picturesque rock formations and buttes, making the area notable for travellers.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades, the economy of Camp Douglas was built around servicing the railway and logging. An important turning point in history was the decision by the Wisconsin state authorities in the late 1880s to acquire land nearby to create a military training ground.

The founding of the camp, which later became known as Camp Williams, laid the foundation for the town's close connection with military traditions. The presence of the National Guard stimulated local trade and the service sector, forming a unique lifestyle for the small community, where railway workers lived alongside military personnel.

Key Dates in History

• 1864 — Official planning. The layout of the settlement of Camp Douglas was approved, the emergence of which is directly linked to the construction of the railway through this region.
• 1865 — Infrastructure formation. The opening of the first post office marked the transformation of the temporary workers' camp into a fully-fledged settlement.
• 1888 — Military significance. General Chandler Chapman selected the surrounding lands for field training, highly appreciating the unique landscape with sandstone cliffs, which was convenient for shooting ranges.
• 1893 — New status. The settlement officially received the status of an incorporated village, which facilitated the development of local self-government.
• 1903 — Range expansion. The State Legislature approved the purchase of land to create a permanent military camp, which became a town-forming facility.
• 1954 — Federal agreement. The Government of the USA signed a long-term lease agreement, securing the facility's status as a key field training centre.
• 1957 — Name for the airbase. The airfield was named "Volk Field" in honour of Lieutenant Jerome A. Volk, the first pilot of the state's Air National Guard to be accorded such an honour.
• 1989 — Preserving heritage. The opening of the Wisconsin National Guard Museum took place, which today is one of the main attractions for visitors to the town.

Development Stages: From Station to Strategic Centre

The history of the village of Camp Douglas is an example of how a small settlement was able to adapt to the changes of time, transitioning from servicing steam locomotives to high-tech aviation. Several key milestones can be highlighted that shaped the modern appearance and economy of this place:

• Formation of the Railway Junction (1860s).
  The transformation of a temporary loggers' camp into an important transport hub at the intersection of two lines became the foundation of the economy. This ensured a constant flow of goods and travellers, providing an impetus for the opening of the first hotels and shops.
• Founding of the Military Range (1888).
  The choice of this area for training the Wisconsin National Guard was fateful. The presence of the military ensured a stable demand for the services of local entrepreneurs and integrated the village into the defence infrastructure developed by the USA.
• Administrative Self-Determination (1893).
  Obtaining the status of an incorporated village allowed residents to form their own budget, develop utility services, and build schools, turning scattered buildings into an orderly settlement.
• Development of Volk Field Air Base (from the 1950s).
  The transformation of a regular shooting range into a full-fledged Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) brought technology and skilled jobs to the town. The base became not just a seasonal camp, but a year-round economic driver.
• Construction of Interstate Highways (I-90/94).
  The laying of major highways near the town changed logistics. While life used to bustle around the train station, Camp Douglas now became a convenient stop for car tourists travelling through the picturesque region.
• Museification of Heritage (Late 20th Century).
  The creation of the Wisconsin National Guard Museum cemented the town's status as a cultural centre of the region. This allowed for the attraction of tourists interested in military history and preserved the memory of the generations who served on this land.

Urban Development and Planning

The architectural appearance and planning structure of the village of Camp Douglas were formed under the influence of two key factors: the development of railway transport and the needs of military departments. Initially, the settlement developed as a classic "station town" with a rectangular street grid oriented relative to the railway tracks. The compact centre of the village is focused around the transport hub, where hotels and trading shops for travellers were historically located.

A feature of the urban planning is the integration of residential development into the unique natural landscape with towering sandstone rock formations. A significant part of the territory in the vicinity is occupied by military infrastructure facilities, which over time have become an integral part of the local architectural ensemble.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Utilitarian and traditional Midwest architectural solutions predominate in the buildings of Camp Douglas, typical for this part of the USA. It is difficult to find pompous Gothic or Baroque here, but a clear connection of styles with the periods of the settlement's development can be traced:

• Late 19th Century (Victorian Era and Vernacular Architecture): Early residential development is represented by wooden frame houses. These are simple but solid structures with elements of the Folk Victorian style, characteristic of small American communities of that time.
• Early 20th Century (Brick Commercial Style): Buildings on the main streets constructed during this period are made of brick and are distinguished by functionality. Laconic facades with minimal decor reflect the pragmatic spirit of a trading and railway centre.
• 1930–1940s (WPA Style and Rustic): During the "New Deal" period and the expansion of the military camp, local sandstone was actively used. Buildings and structures of this era, located on the territory of Camp Williams, are distinguished by massive masonry that harmonises with the surrounding rocks.

Landmark Structures and Objects

The appearance of Camp Douglas is defined not so much by individual architectural masterpieces, but by complexes of buildings and natural dominants that have become symbols of the town:

• Camp Williams Complex: The historical core of the military base includes buildings made of local stone, erected in the first half of the 20th century. The Officer's Club and the entrance gates are vivid examples of the use of local materials in architecture.
• Target Bluff: Although this is a natural object, it is the main visual dominant of the settlement, against the background of which the entire architectural landscape is formed.
• Wisconsin National Guard Museum Building: The structure, stylised as traditional wooden architecture of the region, serves as a guardian of history and an important cultural centre.

Prominent Personalities and Historical Figures

The history of the village of Camp Douglas is closely intertwined with the fates of pioneers, military figures, and local leaders. Below are key figures who had a significant impact on the formation and development of this settlement in the USA.

• James Douglas — Founder and Lumber Industrialist.
  Owner of a logging camp that began operations in these parts in the 1860s. It was his enterprise, supplying timber for steam locomotives, that gave the name to the railway station, and subsequently to the entire village.
• William O'Harron — First Settler and Landowner.
  Considered the first permanent resident to settle in this territory even before the railway was laid. He owned a significant part of the lands on which the town later grew. One of the local elevations, "Billy's Bluff", is named in his honour.
• Chandler Pease Chapman — Adjutant General, "Father" of the Wisconsin National Guard.
  In 1888, it was he who chose the picturesque lands with sandstone cliffs near the village to create a military training ground. This strategic decision determined the vector of the town's development for a century ahead.
• George Frohmader — Politician and Community Leader.
  A successful local merchant who achieved significant heights in politics, becoming a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly. He also held the posts of village president and postmaster, actively developing local self-government.
• Charles R. Williams — Lieutenant Colonel, Chief Quartermaster.
  The officer who led the development of the military base from 1917 to 1926. Under his leadership, the camp turned into a modern training centre. In 1927, the facility (Camp Williams) was officially named in his honour.
• Jerome A. Volk — National Guard Pilot.
  The first pilot of the State Air National Guard, who died in combat during the Korean War. Although he was not a native of the village, his name is inextricably linked with the town: in 1957, the airbase located here received the name "Volk Field".