Interesting, no idea that was even out there. I thought it was just prisons, and misc. correctional institutions out that direction past Merck. Interesting history from Google, it was one of only two POW camps during WW2 in NC (Fort Bragg being the other).
There were a few other branch camps throughout the state as well.
Here’s a pretty cool article about it all:
Part i: Introduction; Part ii: North Carolina Contributions in Battle and on the Home Front; Part iii: World War II Military Installations in the
www.ncpedia.org
When I was a kid I used to compete out there as a member of the Sir Walter Gun Club’s Junior High Power Rifle Team. We were able to pull pits for the U.S. Palma team, train with the Marine Corps Rifle Team, and later go on to compete at the U.S. National Matches at Camp Perry near Port Clinton Ohio. I was able to attend matches at Quantico and was invited onto the Connecticut State Junior Rifle Team as well. Pretty crazy to be 16 at a hotel with an AR-15 in a rifle case inside the D.C. city limits. No harm came because we had no ill intentions. Just good kids spreading our wings.
The Sergeant Major once had to step off camp for a bit and told me to write down any communications that might come in by phone or radio. He jokingly told me I was in charge of the base while he was gone. Though he was joking, I didn’t know it at the time and took it pretty seriously!
It was all quite the experience for a 14-17 year old kid.
