Built in 1941, this 72,000-acre military base was the training
site for thousands of troops heading overseas during World
War II, and in 1958 Elvis Presley was inducted into the
U.S. army and began basic training here. In recent years
it served as an annual reserve training center and on separate
occasions an indoctrination facility for Vietnamese and
then Cuban refugees. It was also the location for the filming
of the movies "Biloxi Blues," and "A Soldier's
Story." In season, a hunter's and fisherman's paradise.
Several memorial plaques honor World War II units formed
here. The area of the camp that includes the barracks facilities
is now part of the 7,000 acres being developed for commercial,
residential and industrial purposes known as Chaffee Crossing.
HIGHWAY 22 (east of Fort Smith), (479) 452-4554
Chaffee Crossing is publicly accessible for self-driven touring.
FORT SMITH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 2 North B, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 1-800-637-1477 | (479) 783-8888 Fax (479) 784-2421 E-Mail:tourism@fortsmith.org
Built in 1941, this 72,000-acre military base was the training
site for thousands of troops heading overseas during World
War II, and in 1958 Elvis Presley was inducted into the
U.S. army and began basic training here. In recent years
it served as an annual reserve training center and on separate
occasions an indoctrination facility for Vietnamese and
then Cuban refugees. It was also the location for the filming
of the movies "Biloxi Blues," and "A Soldier's
Story." In season, a hunter's and fisherman's paradise.
Several memorial plaques honor World War II units formed
here. The area of the camp that includes the barracks facilities
is now part of the 7,000 acres being developed for commercial,
residential and industrial purposes known as Chaffee Crossing.
