Camp Curtis Guild
Encyclopedia
Camp Curtis Guild is a Massachusetts Army National Guard camp located in the towns of Reading
, Lynnfield
, and Wakefield, Massachusetts
. It is named after former Massachusetts governor Curtis Guild Jr.
, the site was leased from the Bay State Rifle Association by the United States Navy
. The area then became known as Camp Plunkett and wooden barracks and mess halls were erected on the site. After the war, the land was returned to the association.
In 1926 and at a cost of 26 million dollars, the land was bought by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. On March 1 of that year, Governor Alvin T. Fuller named the camp in honor of the former governor Curtis Guild Jr. “in consideration of [his] public service and intimate connection with the military forces of the state and nation.”
During the time period between 1933 and 1936, a Works Progress Administration
camp was operated by the state on the site. Several wood frame buildings were also erected on the site during this time.
During World War II
, the camp was operated by the First Service Command as a staging area for the Port of Boston
. The camp was also utilized by the United States Coast Guard
as well for training.
In 1992, the army conducted a Lyme Disease
Risk Assessment and noted that the disease was present in ticks at the facility, as well as the presence of human Lyme disease cases in the surrounding area.
In 1998, the outdoor firing facility was closed after a stray bullet nearly struck a Lynnfield mother and her toddler. Between 1967 and 1998, nineteen stray bullets were found in the abutting neighborhood. Prior to the closing of the range, police departments from the surrounding area used the outdoor range for training. The incident resulted in the building of an indoor range at the facility.
Reading, Massachusetts
Reading is an affluent town situated in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, some north of central Boston. The population was 24,747 at the 2010 census.-Settlement and Independence:...
, Lynnfield
Lynnfield, Massachusetts
Lynnfield is a wealthy town in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 11,542.- History :...
, and Wakefield, Massachusetts
Wakefield, Massachusetts
-History:-Geography:The diagram above shows what is to the east, west, north, south, and other directions of the center of Wakefield. Towns with population above 25,000 are in bold italics.-Demographics:-Notable residents:...
. It is named after former Massachusetts governor Curtis Guild Jr.
History
During World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the site was leased from the Bay State Rifle Association by the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. The area then became known as Camp Plunkett and wooden barracks and mess halls were erected on the site. After the war, the land was returned to the association.
In 1926 and at a cost of 26 million dollars, the land was bought by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. On March 1 of that year, Governor Alvin T. Fuller named the camp in honor of the former governor Curtis Guild Jr. “in consideration of [his] public service and intimate connection with the military forces of the state and nation.”
During the time period between 1933 and 1936, a Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
camp was operated by the state on the site. Several wood frame buildings were also erected on the site during this time.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the camp was operated by the First Service Command as a staging area for the Port of Boston
Port of Boston
The Port of Boston, , is a major seaport located in Boston Harbor and adjacent to the City of Boston...
. The camp was also utilized by the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
as well for training.
In 1992, the army conducted a Lyme Disease
Lyme disease
Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is an emerging infectious disease caused by at least three species of bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto is the main cause of Lyme disease in the United States, whereas Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii cause most...
Risk Assessment and noted that the disease was present in ticks at the facility, as well as the presence of human Lyme disease cases in the surrounding area.
In 1998, the outdoor firing facility was closed after a stray bullet nearly struck a Lynnfield mother and her toddler. Between 1967 and 1998, nineteen stray bullets were found in the abutting neighborhood. Prior to the closing of the range, police departments from the surrounding area used the outdoor range for training. The incident resulted in the building of an indoor range at the facility.
Training Facilities
The facility contains fifteen training areas, two bivouac sites for company-sized elements, a land navigation site, a recovery training site, a engineer dig training site, a helipad, and an Engagement Skills Trainer. Ten miles of unmaintained roads are also present on the site to help with training for wheeled and tracked vehicles.Tenants
A list of tenants that operate at the facility:- 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
- Field Maintenance Facility #4
- 272nd Chemical Company
- 972nd Military Police Company
- 188th Engineer Detachment
- Camp Curtis Guild Composite Squadron MA-072 Civil Air PatrolCivil Air PatrolCivil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...