WWII Company Street, National Infantry Museum, Columbus, GA

Part of the sprawling complex that is the National Infantry Museum located in Columbus, GA (and just outside Fort Benning) This special collection of buildings of the 1940’s WWII era were moved here when the rest of that section of Sand Hill and Harmony Hill sections of the base were torn down to be replaced by more modern structures in the early 1990s. It is called “The WWII Company Street” project. [photo credit below to the National Infantry Museum]

This was a unique visit for us....Kevin did his Army basic training at Fort Benning in 1982. It was home for 13 weeks. The structures currently in this special fenced in (and locked) collection were what he himself saw, entered and lived in while stationed here. Albeit, as he said they had been “modernized”. Also, when he was there the buildings had been all painted white with green trim as he recalls. Now they represent what they looked like inside and out during WWII.

In fact, our tour guide of the compound explained in quite a bit of detail how the structured underwent a full “de-modernization” stripping out sheetrock walls, replacing modern fixtures with 1940s era ones, replacing modern bath facilities with vintage. This WWII collection of buildings were brought here, completely intact and whole–which he noted was quite a site when it was being done!

Below are just some of the minute attention to detail we saw and appreciated as “museum people”. Things like period posters, packets of cigarettes, desk implements and equipment, even period reproductions of billboard posters, announcements, etc.

Per their website…

“The barracks, mess hall, orderly room, supply room, chapel, and sleeping quarters and headquarters used by Gen. George S. Patton prior to his deployment to North Africa are the only fully-preserved set of series 700 buildings in existence. Rounding out the site are a period PT field and Sherman tank.”

During the restoration and interpretation project, each building was brought in line with that a soldier from 1942 would completely recognize. Visitors today can see the care and attention to detail that was executed to that end. Packages of Lucky Strike cigarettes’, the old style wheel & brush erasers on desks, typewriters of the exact vintage and signs of the times are all uniquely and thoughtfully displayed as if the soldier or NCO had just walked out of the room.

The building plans of this era come from the 700’s series of plans approved by the US Army command. These buildings now assembled were in the Harmony Hill section of the base- which is also where Kevin was billeted. Sadly, no remains, remnants or even signage (other than where the original Harmony Hill Church stood) are visible today.

Fort Benning Army base is a huge (182,000 acres!), very active base both for those soldiers stationed here for their tours, but also still for inbound recruits for basic training weeks and also special training programs for soldiers from around the USA. The army also does specialized training for foreign country’s military. The area the base covers is huge, and in fact, to go to our Uchee Creek FAM Campground we had to cross the Chattahoochee River and enter into the neighboring state of Alabama. Although we were technically “off base” and did have to go through an ID check point to get back in, the property along the river in Alabama was US Army/Government owned.

LET’S TAKE A STROLL DOWN THE COMPANY STREET!

The Harmony Church (yes, Kevin was in this building, almost as is 42 years ago!)

HEADQUARTERS BUILDING: as noted includes the office used by Gen. George S. Patton. See if you can spot the standing cigarette ashtray!

MOVING DOWN THE STREET TO THE MESS HALL:

As our tour guide noted, originally soldiers would come in the front door, be seated and actually served their meals. However, as the war really ramped up and the base became so full and active, the soldiers were routed to come in the side door, grab their tray, proceed in front of those lifted counter windows- be served and seat themselves. I found this video that may evoke memories or create new ones about the Mess Hall foods.

THE SUPPLY BUILDING: “It was here in the supply room that young soldiers would be issued their equipment. They would draw blankets, sheets, canteens, ammo belts, mess kits and whatever else it would take to provide them with the needed tools to survive being a soldier. “ Note, the bike was the property of the soldier on duty, not something that could be obtained here in the supply store. PS: we believe some of those pillows actually are 1942 issue!

FINALLY…THE BARRACKS: there were hundreds and hundreds of barrack and mess hall buildings that dotted the base at the time. Our tour guide said that an ariel photo taken made it look like someone had taken a handful of dried rice and cast it down on the earth and that is what the base complex looked like during WWII.

This barrack building was designed to hold 63-74 men. The second story was added on for WWII and NCOs were housed above. Note the ladder to exit the second story in an emergency. There were latrine facilities in the back including 6 shower heads, 6 toilets and sinks. Take your turn ‘fella but be fast! The two front bedrooms where for NCOs for sleeping and offices.

GENERAL PATTON’S SLEEPING CABIN: according to the building signage, official property records list this as an administration building in 1941 and used as a message center. Legend has it that it was later used by Gen. George S. Patton as his sleeping quarters when his operations were running a 24-hour day schedule. He needed a quiet place to rest and make command decisions on a moments notice. He instructed his officers they could wake him at any time day or night. This building’s exterior only was on our tour.

ONE FINAL VIEW OF THE WWII COMPANY STREET on the complex of the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia. Well worth the visit! To see all that you can see inside the main museum as well as the grounds be prepared to spend at least 4-5 hours minimum. Be sure to double check the main museum’s website for information about when this Company Street exhibit area is open as the times are VERY limited unfortunately.