by Duke Doering. Camp Rapid began on January 13, 1930.
How did Camp Rapid become the permanent training site and location of the headquarters for the South Dakota National Guard?
On this date the Adjutant General, Colonel William A. Hazle, submitted a report to the first Democrat Governor elected in the state of South Dakota, William J. Bulow. The contents of this report reveal some insight into why Rapid City was later established as the permanent training site for the South Dakota National Guard. The paragraph [above is] taken from Colonel Hazle’s 1930 report:
“The training for 1930 was the best we have had for a number of years. The Regimental Commanders, who are the actual heads charged with the actual training and administration of the affairs of their organizations, seemed to have made more valuable use of their instructors than they have at any previous time. This was not only noticeable during the armory training period, but it was very noticeable during the field training period which was conducted from June 8th to 22nd, at Rapid City, South Dakota.
“The question may arise in your mind, and has in the minds of several — why do we go to Rapid City? The exact reason is that experience has taught us that these young men belonging to the National Guard are the same as all others that belong to the Army or civilian training camps. They have no particular desire to go out on the bare prairie some place even though it might more nearly represent war conditions and we have everything at and near our camp site there that is necessary for the training of Engineers and Field Artillery, together with going to town that is amply able to take care of the general amusement of the younger troops.
“There are several places in the State where Field Artillery could be trained, that is where a field of fire could be had, but not where there are sufficient roads and terrain upon which we can function at that time of the year and there is no other place that we have found where we can get the terrain necessary for good firing and the camp site located where there are not flies or mosquitoes, and of course it furnished everything with a trip which has a tendency to bring the recruits necessary to keep up the organizations with very little trouble.”
It took a while, and a lot of negotiations by Hazel to finally get Camp Rapid, but on September 30, 1932 the deal was completed and the South Dakota National Guard received the deed.
The South Dakota National Guard paid $8,400 from its Special Militia Fund for the empty tract of 84.4 acres. Adjutant General W.A. Hazel moved his office from Aberdeen to Rapid City in July 1932 so that he could supervise the construction of permanent buildings.
Improvements to Camp Rapid began in early 1933. Hazel supervised the construction of a small arms range along the southwest side of the camp. A boardwalk was built from the camp to Baken Park, which included a new foot bridge over Rapid Creek. The walk continued into Rapid City, eliminating a traffic hazard for the foot soldiers. Running water and electric power serviced the camp. Field latrines and a few other small facilities were built. However, permanent buildings would not be erected for a few years.
