On the main post of Fort Bliss, Texas stand the Old Cavalry Barracks. Built in 1934 by the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps to house troops from the First Cavalry Division patrolling the Southern U.S. Border.
“During the Depression of the 1930s the (First Cavalry Division) assumed operation of the Arizona-New Mexico District of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), providing headquarters for CCC companies and employment for 62,500 young men in forest and reclamation work.” The Division consolidated at Fort Bliss in 1941, and was assigned to the Pacific in 1943. These Soldiers lived in these barracks.
The towering structures make me long for the days when Soldiers were housed inside their walls. But, those days are long passed as our culture and our Army has changed. I walked through the halls recently, as they now house many of the in/out processing offices, and considered what it would have been like. I realized that the big rooms were once large “open bay” rooms with bunk beds lining the walls. Those Soldiers were not afforded the luxury of having separate or semi-private rooms. So, it would have looked much differently from the way our Soldiers are housed today.
As with many structures from the pre-depression building designs, it is amazing to see the craftsmanship and detail in the entranceways. The attention to detail of that era, I believe, is an example of the work ethic of the times; they would not be satisfied by simply building a door-but made an inviting and majestic entrance to the building.
Another part of the buildings that catch me eye are rear facing portions. The covered walkways seem to have provided a recreational balcony and simple covered areas for routine business between buildings. Again, I can picture Soldiers lined up to enter these buildings or one by one walk through the building carrying the papers of the day.
As the old barracks stand as a mere reminder of how the Army once lived, it is always important for us to walk through and consider where we have been and how we got to where we are now.