Camp Douglas, WI

Camp Douglas is a small town located in Dane County, Wisconsin. The population was 1,569 at the 2010 census. Camp Douglas is known for its beautiful lakes and forests. It is also home to one of the largest military bases in the United States - Fort McCoy.

The history of Camp Douglas can be traced back to 1836 when General James B. McPherson established a trading post on the site now occupied by Fort McCoy. In 1848, General Winfield Scott established a military post on the site and named it after his father-in-law, Senator James K. Polk. The post grew rapidly and by 1855 had reached its present size of 2,000 acres with barracks for 1,500 soldiers and an armory that could store 100 artillery pieces.

In 1861, during the American Civil War, Camp Douglas became home to over 10,000 Union troops who were fighting Confederate forces led by General Robert E Lee. The camp was badly damaged during the war but was quickly rebuilt after it ended in 1865. In 1892, Camp Douglas became home to Wisconsin's first National Guard unit - Company A of the 3rd Infantry Regiment which was later renamed Company D of the 7th Infantry Regiment in 1898 after Wisconsin joined the United States as a state.

During World War I (1914-1918), Camp Douglas played an important role in training soldiers for combat overseas as well as housing German prisoners of war who were eventually released following World War II (1939-1945). In 1941, Camp Douglas became home to America's first concentration camp - Dachau which operated until 1945 when it was liberated by American troops.

Today, Camp Douglas continues to play an important role in Wisconsin's history as it is home to both Fort McCoy and America's oldest national guard unit - Company A of the 3rd Infantry Regiment which has been stationed at Camp Douglas since its establishment in 1892!