Camp Sherman

Several barracks buildings at Camp Sherman and soldiers drilling and organizing nearby. c.1917

Ohio History Connection

In early 1917, the United States entered the world war and immediately, the nation found itself tasked with building up its resources to throw against Germany and its allies. Calls for enlistment were answered by patriotic Americans and a national draft swelled the Army's ranks almost overnight. To train these new recruits, cantonments would need to be constructed throughout the country. Thirty-two massive military establishments were planned and swiftly contstructed in only a matter of months. One of those cantonments were awarded to Ohio and its construction in 1917 brought about a monumental change to the rural South Central Ohio landscape and to the population too. Here we present some of the stories of Ohio's cantonment, Camp Sherman.

 

 

A panoramic photograph of Camp Sherman, September 1917.  Click the photo for a larger, expanded panorama photo.

Library of Congress