Title

Camp Pike, Thanksgiving dinner, 1918

Creator

Files

Date Original

1918

Description

Photograph of tables set for Thanksgiving Dinner at Camp Pike in 1918. The mess hall is decorated with streamers and plants for the celebration. On the tables are what appear to be cut-up turkeys, rolls, bananas, apples, mashed potatoes, dressing, olives, celery, cakes, bowls, plates, and cups. In the background of the photograph are six unidentified soldiers and three unidentified women in civilian clothing sitting next to a piano. A photograph of General John Pershing is on the back wall of the mess hall.

Biographical/Historical Note

Camp Pike, known as Camp Joseph T. Robinson since 1937, is located in present day North Little Rock, Arkansas. Named in honor of Brigadier General Zebulon M. Pike, Camp Pike served as a home and training camp for the 87th Division (National Army) and then as a replacement training facility after the division deployed to France during World War I. Construction totaling about $13,000,000 on the camp began in June 1917 and was substantially complete by November 1917. The post was a demobilization station and home for the U.S. Third Infantry Division as World War I came to an end. Between World War I and World War II, the camp served as the headquarters of the Arkansas National Guard. During World War II, Camp Robinson became a replacement training center, primarily for basic training and medics, and a German prisoner of war facility. As of 2014, Camp Joseph T. Robinson serves as a 33,000-acre training facility for the Army National Guard and is the headquarters for the Arkansas National Guard.

Physical Description

Photograph, 8.5" x 10.5"

Subjects

Military camps; Military training; War; World War I, 1914-1918; Holidays; Food; Turkeys; Military life; Military cookery

Geographical Area

Camp Pike, Pulaski County (Ark.)

Language

English

Identifier

General photo file, G3854

Resource Type

Image

Collection

General photo file

Publisher

Arkansas State Archives

Contributing Entity

Arkansas State Archives

Recommended Citation

Camp Pike, Thanksgiving dinner, 1918, General photo file, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Rights

Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.

Disciplines

Military History | United States History

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