This past Wednesday I went on a day trip to Centreville, Mississippi with Judy & Dale to visit the Camp Van Dorn World War II Museum. In 1944 my Granddaddy, Judy's dad, was stationed here before going oversees. During his time in the deep South my Grandmaw joined him and they were married in one of the chapels on the camp's grounds.
Centreville is an old small town right inside the Mississippi border that appeared to have one main street and zero stop lights.
Outside the museum that was dedicated in 2005
Inside the small museum they have collected an impressive amount of artifacts and pictures.
Judy, Dale, and our spunky 86-year-old tour guide Emma Zell Knighton who grew up in Centreville and holds a lifetime worth of knowledge about the camp and surrounding area
Camp Van Dorn could accommodate over 40,000 enlisted men in its hay day. In this photo hanging on the wall of the 1282 Engineering Corp, my Granddaddy is the third one from the left, second row from the top.
Nice colorful post card on display
A pretty gal sitting on a beach with the caption "ANTICIPATION". I suppose this post card was to motivate the men and keep morale up?
More artifacts on display
We spent a good bit of time looking at everything and listening to Emma Zell as well as a few other ladies who volunteer at the museum tell us their personal knowledge of the camp. After we had soaked everything in, Mrs. Knighton took us on a personal tour of the area in her car. The camp which encompassed nearly 42,000 acres has not existed for decades, but she was able to show us where things used to be as she drove up and down little back roads.
It was nice to step back in time for a few hours and get a glimpse into how life was for my grandparents when they got married. I am glad that I went on this day trip with Judy & Dale!
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