Fort Leonard Wood Historic Tour Preview

Fort Leonard Wood Main Gate Entrance

The tour starts here at the Sverdrup Gate, also known as the "Main Gate" on Missouri Ave.In 1940 the War Department decided to establish a major training area in the Seventh Corps area. This command comprised most of the states in the central plains. Originally located near Leon, Iowa, the site for the new training center was moved to south central Missouri. In the first days of December 1940, military and state officials broke ground for what was known as the Seventh Corps Area Training Center. In early January, the name was changed to Fort Leonard Wood

Old Post Headquarters

Historic markers note location of the original Post Headquarters which as built in 1941 and was demolished in 2012. You will see remains of the foundation. Note the rock walls. These were built by German POW's during WWII.You will find stonework features built by German prisoners of war, interned at Fort Leonard Wood between 1943 and 1946, throughout the installation. Some of the most significant stonework are at this location; which were part of the original Post Headquarters flag pole and courtyard. Other locations; at Veteran's Park; the patio, chimney and walkways at Garlington House; the Nebraska and Minnesota Avenue culvert; the Gammon Field culvert; and the stairs, jetty and retaining wall at the water intake on the Big Piney River.

Fire Baptized Cemetery

Most interred here were born in the late 1800’s. The stone work was built by the German POW's during WWII. Three of the 13 people buried there died in 1934, with two unrelated people dying within three days of each other. Interments that are held here require the graves to be hand dug due to the stone wall.For an interesting article on other cemeteries, of the "lost towns", located throughout Fort Leonard Wood, visit the link the May 25, 1987 article with the Chicago Tribune.http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-05-25/news/8702080343_1_cemeteries-memorial-day-post

Baker Theater

Formally used as a movie theater this location is used for various graduation ceremonies.

Gammon Field

This has been used as the Post's main parade field since 1941. The field is named in honor of Staff Sergeant Archer T. Gammon of Company A, 9th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division. On February 13, 1946, he posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism in World War II. Over 4 million soldiers have graduated on Gammon Field.Bob Hope entertained the troops in the late 60's at this location.

Nutter Field House

This was built in 1942 to provide recreational facilities for soldiers at Fort Leonard Wood. It has a roof truss system unusual in these types of facilities. It was named for Second Lieutenant Daniel L. Nutter of 25th Armored Engineer Battalion, 6th Armored Division. He was posthumously awarded the Distringuished Service cross for heroism in WWII.

Garrison Chapel

Formally the Main Post Chapel.

USO

Twenty-five years after the founding of our airport facility, the USO has expanded to serve the troops stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood. We are fortunate to add a "touch of home" with our 18,000 sq ft. facility located right on post.With the help of volunteers, the new facility located on post offers a place to unwind from the everyday stresses of being in the military. Comfort foods, entertainment, computers for e-mail and a chance to call home are just a few of the services that are offered at the facility.

Abrams Reel Time Theater

Used as a theater and venue for meeting space.

Mahaffey Museum Complex

Finished in 1970, this hall was originally constructed to serve as a service club for soldiers, known as Walker Recreation Center. It is now home to the museums for the Engineer, Chemical Corps, and Military Police. Learn about history while viewing wallk-through displays and life-like exhibits. The museum is free to the general public.

Military Vehicle Display

As you depart Fort Leonard Wood, this park offers a few additional military equipment displays.

Old Post Chapel

Colyer Park

Many family events are held in Colyer Park such as Movie in the Park which is shown in the photo. Pavillion, picnic and play areas available.

Main Post Chapel

MANSCEN

This is the home to MANSCEN the current headquarters.

Garlington House

The Garlington House was built during the early months of 1941 as a Major General's quarter's and housed commanders of the "Engineer Replacement Training Center" (ERIC). It was located on the country road between the little towns of Waynesville and Big Piney on the Joseph Lambeth homestead. In 1903, Mr. Lambeth bought the property complete with a frame house and remodeled it into a two-story stucco cottage in 1925. Later additions included a smokehouse, a car shed with a cellar, and a barn. He later relinquished his home when the government bought his home and property, by condemnation, in order to build a temporary mobilization training center, Fort Leonard Wood. Later the Lambeth home was torn down and the Garland House was built for the occupation of significant officers.In 1963, the quarters were renovated and converted to distinguished guest quarters. In 1977 and again in 1990, the house was renovated to provide a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for the distinguished guest of the post.

Rockwell Cemetery

The Rockwell Cemetery lies near the Technology Park with 43 marked graves. It is home to a World War II veteran and a private with 130th Machine Gun Battalion, 55th Division. It also contains the person born the earliest of all Fort Leonard Wood’s cemeteries — 1767. Some of the gravestones hint at difficult lives. Three siblings all died in the same year: 1923. One mother lost two children and followed them to the grave six years later at the age of 35.

General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital

This hospital was completed August 15, 1965. The next stop on the tour is the location of the original hospital.

Fort Leonard Wood Hospital

This is the site of the original hospital which was a cantonment style hospital (many different buildings and no hallways linking them). It was comprised of 2,000 beds and was operational from 1941 until 1965.

German POW Stone work

Another area featuring the stone work by German POW's.

Soldiers Memorial Park

Features a walk way between the memorials for the Engineer, Chemical Corps and Military Police. The Chemical Corps and Military Police memorials were brought to Fort Leonard Wood in 1999 upon the closing of Fort McClelland, Alabama. Over the years the associations have added to the memorial area with beautiful statues, walkways, memorial benchs and bricks.

Piney Valley Golf Course

This 18 hole golf course and club house is open to the public

One lane bridge

Built in the 1940s. The jetty and retaining wall was built by the German POW.

Rolling Heath One-Room School

The Rolling Heath School House, circa 1912, is the only existing pre-installation building on Fort Leonard Wood. Grades 1-8 were taught here until 1941 when the government took over the land for the building of Fort Leonard Wood. The building was restored in 1995 and it is used for educational programs throughout the year and is the primary venue for the Cultural Resources Management Program’s annual Missouri Archaeology Month, National Preservation Month and Earth Week activities.

Stone Mill Spring - parking area

Park and walk down trail approximately .25 mile to beautiful Stone Mill Spring. With a flow of 18 million gallons of water a day, the spring provides excellent fishing and is stocked with rainbow trout. The site is named for a historic mill that began operation in the 1880s. There are trails along the waterway and picnic tables.

Rolling Hills Trail

Located behind the one room school, this trail is approximately 1 mile. Restroom facilities are located at the trailhead.

Happy Hollows Picnic Area

Beautiful picnic area along the Big Piney River. Across the river you can see the parking area for Stone Mill Spring.

Railroad Area

When Fort Leonard Wood was being built during the early 1940s most of the supplies were brought in by railroad. People from around the midwest came to the area to build the fort living in Waynesville or setting up camp in Saint Robert.

"Green" Bridge

This bridge is made of 100% recyclable plastic and weighs 1/3 the weight of a normal bridge.

Main Post Cemetery

The Post Cemetery is the largest and newest cemetery on post, with more than 600 marked graves. Four graves belong to World War II prisoners of war, two identified as German, one with a German last name and one with an Italian name. A large proportion of the graves are infants, dating from 1940 to 975.

Building 2101 - Countee Hall

In 1945, Staff Sgt. Samuel Countee, an African American Soldier and artist, painted a mural for Fort Leonard Wood’s World War II era Black Officers Club located in Building 2101.In addition to being the home of what is believed to be the only surviving piece of artwork created during Countee’s military career, the building also features masonry stonework built by German and Italian prisoners of war. The building is one of the last World War II era segregated officers clubs in the Army

Polla Road - West Entrance

Hector Polla sign at the West Entrance of Fort Leonard WoodFirst Lieutenant Hector J. Polla entered the U.S. Army from Missouri and served with the 57th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) in the Philippines during World War II. He was taken as a POW following the Japanese invasion and was interned in the islands until December 1944, when he was transferred to the Oryoku Maru for transport to Japan. He survived the attack on the Oryoku Maru and was eventually transferred to the Brazil Maru. Records indicate that 1LT Polla died on January 21, 1945, from wounds he had sustained in the earlier attacks and was buried at sea. However, these records often involve information solely furnished by enemy governments, with some casualties given multiple dates of death. Future research may determine these reports were inaccurate. 1LT Polla’s remains could not be identified following the war, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, First Lieutenant Polla is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.