Army Base Artifacts Tell Story of Dublin's Past

Dublin residents will soon get to learn about an important chapter in Dublin’s history when the city puts on display historic items from , an army training facility established during World War II.

The items will include old documents, uniforms, furniture and equipment. Many of the artifacts date back to the 1940s, when Camp Parks was established.

The items will be placed in storage while the city decides where to display the artifacts.

Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti said the Camp Parks items would help Dublin preserve its heritage.

“It’s a great thing,” he said. “Camp Parks has been a rich part of our history, and now residents can become aware of that history.”

Most of the important pieces are archival, and include newspaper clippings, photographs and documents.

"[Camp Parks] has a huge connection with Dublin," said Camp Parks spokesperson Dan Gannod.

The base existed before Dublin was incorporated, so the items represent an important period in the city's development, he said.

"The artifacts unique to Camp Parks are sort of what makes  Dublin unique," Gannod added.

Elizabeth Isles, director of the Dublin Heritage Center, agrees that these items tell an important story about Dublin's past. 

“More than 100,000 personnel came to Dublin during World War II,” said Isles. “That’s 100,000 stories at Camp Parks, and we’re going to try capture as many as we can, and by doing so, capture a generation.”

Other items in the collection include uniforms representing the different branches of service that were stationed at Camp Parks, a hospital bed from the base's Shoemaker Hospital and a hammock from the South Pacific. 

Many of the items were originally displayed at a history center at Camp Parks, but when the center closed down a few years back, the items were placed in storage.

“We became very concerned about the future of the collection,” said Isles. “Camp Parks then worked with the mayor, city manager and commander to come up with a plan.”

The city is still unsure where it will showcase the collection.

“There are several things that have been floated, but nothing definitive,” said Isles. “We have to find the best solution for all involved.”

Camp Parks was established in 1943 as a Navy base during World War II. Today, the base serves as a reserve force training area for the National Guard, Army Reserve soldiers and Naval Reserve Seabees.

Isles refers to the base as the “third chapter” in Dublin’s history, following the initial two, when the first waves of Irish, German and Scandinavian immigrants came to the area.

“We haven’t really explored [Camp Parks’] history a lot, and we want to honor that memory,” said Isles. “It’s a compelling story in American history, and it’s really integral to Dublin’s history.”

For Isles, the task when setting up the display will be to focus the collection and tell a story with the items.

“These are compelling stories,” she said. “Now we need to look at how this can be interpreted.”