Camp Hale, Colorado Photographs

Collection

Identifier: TMD234

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains 55 b/w photographs related to training activities at Camp Hale, Colo. Subjects include mules, unidentified Colorado scenery, Cooper Hill ski area, ski training and individual soldier's portraits (ca.1943-1944). Some of the soldiers are identified.

Dates

1943-1944, 1961

Creator

Watkins, Boone, (Person)

Language of Materials

Material is in English unless otherwise noted.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The imply Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Biographical / Historical

In April 1941, the U.S. Army began its search for a site capable of housing a division of 15,000 men, which would also be suitable for year-round training of mountain troops. Their first choice, a site in Yellowstone Park, was rejected because it was a breeding ground for the almost-extinct trumpeter swan. Eventually, the Army approved a site north of Leadville, Colorado between Tennessee Pass and a railroad whistle stop called Pando. Construction of the camp, named in honor of General Irving Hale, began in April 1942. Hale, a West Pointer, graduated at the head of his class in 1880, received a Purple Heart, Silver Star and several brevets for gallantry during his service in the Spanish-American War. He later commanded the Colorado National Guard. Despite the site's remoteness and high altitude, construction was rushed to completion in less than six months. Troops, from what would become the 10th Mountain Division, began arriving in November 1942. The soldiers trained in mountain and winter warfare at the camp until June 1944.