Camp Mabry: A Century of Texas Military History
historical marker
Camp Mabry, in Austin, Travis County, Texas, began its history in 1892. It was established as a summer encampment for the Texas Volunteer Guard, a precursor to the Texas National Guard. The camp was named for Woodford Haywood Mabry, Adjutant General of Texas from 1891 to 1898, who envisioned a permanent training site. The original 85-acre site, donated by Austin citizens, expanded to about 400 acres by 1913. The first permanent structure, a state arsenal building, was completed in 1915. Camp Mabry served various roles. During World War I, it was a U.S. Army training site. From 1935 to 1953, it trained personnel for the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers. During World War II, it was headquarters for the Texas Defense Guard. Today, Camp Mabry is the headquarters for the Texas Military Department and houses the Texas Military Forces Museum. It remains an active military installation, recognized as the third-oldest in Texas. A historical marker was erected here in 1972.