Newton County Missouri

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

Over 20,000 workers were employed to build Camp Crowder.

06/02/2026

The construction of Camp Crowder had a greater effect on life in Neosho and Newton County than did any other single event. Most families in the area were affected by construction at the post; many individuals had an opportunity to work at good wages for the first time in many years. In all, twenty thousand workers were needed for the construction of the camp with most of the work force coming from the immediate area.

When construction was completed many opportunities presented themselves to the citizens of the area. With the need for housing during the War years, families were able to rent spare bedrooms to supplement their incomes. Local businesses profited and many jobs, for both men and women, opened at the camp. A number of local young women met future husbands among soldiers stationed at Camp Crowder.

More jobs and opportunities resulted from the second opening of Camp Crowder. The construction of the Rocketdyne plant, on Camp Crowder property, provided a huge economic impact to the area and the opening of Crowder College provided educational opportunities for students in McDonald and Newton Counties. Nearly one half million individuals have played a role in the Crowder area during the sixty-five years since construction of Camp Crowder began in August of 1941.

Larry A. James
July 10, 2006

From Camp Crowder to Crowder College Compiled by Larry A James (c) 2006

06/02/2026

The Construction Phase

For much of 1939, the citizens of Neosho and Newton County were involved in preparing for the Centennial Harvest Show. Most were aware of the events taking place in Europe but little did they know that in only a few short months those events would have a great impact on Neosho and everyone in the immediate area.

During February, March and early April of 1941, United States Army (Army) officers from the Seventh Corps Area were investigating sites for an Army cantonment. In the May 8, 1941, issue of The Neosho Times, it was reported that "a tract of land some ten miles square, running about four miles north of McElhany and five or six south, and some eight or ten miles east and west, has been laid off." After much deliberation, an area south of Neosho was chosen. Four factors played a prominent role in the selection of Newton County for an Army cantonment. Among the factors considered were accessibility to Highway 71 and Highway 60 and the fact that the north and south running Kansas City Southern and east and west Frisco railroads were located in the immediate vicinity. Other factors included topography and water supply.

The first official local announcement was made in the May 15, 1941, issue of The Neosho Times:

Washington, May 13
H. S. Sturgis
Neosho, MO

"It has been officially announced today that the Neosho site has been selected as a site for an additional Army training camp in the event that further enlargement of the United States Army is authorized.
This means that complete surveys have been made and that the quartermaster general has been instructed to proceed with all advance planning exclusive of actual construction and land acquisition so that construction can begin immediately in event of such authorization.

Bennett Champ Clark"

The original area of land considered covered 100 square miles and stretched from three miles south of Neosho to Stark City then south 8 miles and back west to the KCS tracks. Later in the month, Burns & McDonnell moved to the Haas Wholesale Grocery Co. building where they leased the entire third floor. At that time, they were employing fifty people for the Neosho office. Actual surveys were begun on May 10, 1941. By May 31, there were 72 employees and nine field parties involved in surveying the land. On May 28, 1941, the office of the Constructing Quartermaster, architects, and engineers was moved into the Haas building on the northeast corner of the square.

Shown in the original outline of the cantonment. Later, a sizeable portion of the eastern part of the area was removed from consideration.

From Camp Crowder to Crowder College Compiled by Larry A. James (c) 2006

06/02/2026

In early December 1941, work also started on a 400,000 gallon elevated storage tank. Work was also taking place on railroad spurs within the camp. About 2 3/4 miles of railroad track was laid within the camp. The largest construction job was the railroad underpass. A new passenger and freight depot was constructed at McElhany. Work also had begun on the construction of the main post road from Highway 71. It was to be a four-lane road with a parkway between each pair of lanes. Lighting was brought in for the project to allow for two ten-hour shifts each day.

With the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the Declaration of War on Japan on December 8, construction reached top speed. During the week following December 8, more work was completed than during any other week of construction. During this time, the four-lane main post road from Highway 71 to the overpass was completed. Progress on the 24 feet wide concrete road proceeded at breakneck pace. As much as 1,600 feet of pavement was completed in one day. Paving also started in the warehouse area and the Corps Area Service Command. Work began on the laying of gas lines into the camp. Much of the time, crews were able to lay 10,000 feet per day. Welding crews welded as much as 2,000 feet of line per day.

From Camp Crowder to Crowder College compiled by Larry A. James (c) 2006

05/30/2026

During World War II, our quiet town of Neosho became part of something much bigger.

Camp Crowder transformed southwest Missouri into a major training center for the U.S. Army Signal Corps, where thousands of soldiers prepared for service during one of the most pivotal moments in world history.

From muddy training grounds and radio classrooms to POW camps and wartime sacrifices, the story of Camp Crowder is deeply woven into the history of our community.

In our latest blog, we take a look back at the incredible story of when the war came to Neosho.

Read the full story here: During World War II, the quiet town of Neosho became part of something much bigger.

Camp Crowder transformed southwest Missouri into a major training center for the U.S. Army Signal Corps, where thousands of soldiers prepared for service during one of the most pivotal moments in world history.

From muddy training grounds and radio classrooms to POW camps and wartime sacrifices, the story of Camp Crowder is deeply woven into the history of our community.

In our latest blog, we take a look back at the incredible story of when the war came to Neosho.

Read the full story here:
https://www.clarkfuneralhomes.com/page/when-the-war-came-to-neosho-the-story-of-camp-crowder?fh_id=15710