Compiled by Jordyn McCulley
U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson Mountaineer Editor
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Fort Carson was established in 1942, following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. The city of Colorado Springs purchased land south of the city and donated it to the War Department.
Construction began immediately and the first building, the camp headquarters, was completed Jan. 31, 1942.
Camp Carson was named in honor of the legendary Army scout, Gen. Christopher “Kit” Carson, who explored much of the West in the 1800s.
Facilities were provided for 35,173 enlisted men, 1,818 officers and 592 nurses. All of the buildings were of the mobilization-type construction with wood-sided exteriors. The hospital was of the semipermanent-type concrete block and had space for 1,726 beds with an expansion capability to 2,000 beds.
The 89th Infantry Division was the first major unit to be activated at Camp Carson.
During World War II, more than 100,000 Soldiers trained here. Along with three other infantry divisions, the 71st, 104th and 10th Mountain — more than 125 units were activated at Camp Carson, and more than 100 others were transferred to the Mountain Post from other installations. Nurses, cooks, mule packers, tank battalions, a Greek infantry battalion and an Italian ordnance company —Soldiers of every type trained at Camp Carson during the war years.
Between 1942 and 1956, pack mules were a common sight at Camp Carson. The first shipment arrived by train from Nebraska in July 1942. Field artillery (pack) battalions used the mules to carry equipment, weapons and supplies over mountainous terrain.
By April 1946, the military strength at the Mountain Post had dropped to around 600.
It appeared Camp Carson would be closed.
With the onset of the Korean War, however, activity once again increased.
Many Reserve and National Guard units were called to active duty and stationed at Camp Carson.
Camp Carson became Fort Carson in 1954.
Brigadier General Christopher “Kit” Carson 1809-1868
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Born in Madison County, Kentucky, Christopher “Kit” Carson moved to the Missouri frontier by the age of 2. Orphaned at an early age, he was apprenticed to a saddler. Kit found life too dull, and at the age of 17 he ran away with a wagon train bound for Santa Fe. For 16 years he worked as a teamster, cook, guide and hunter for parties exploring the West. In 1842 he guided General John C. Fremont on his expedition to California. For his brave work in the Mexican war Carson was commissioned a lieutenant in the United States Army. He was appointed Indian agent for the Taos, New Mexico area in 1853. In that position he used his wealth of experience and influence on counsel against bloodshed and in many instances was successful. When the civil war started, Carson organized and commanded the New Mexico and Colorado auxiliary scouts. At the end of the war, he was appointed to the rank of brigadier general and given command of Fort Garland, Colorado. Christopher Carson left the post in 1867 and died at Fort Lyons in 1868.