Camp Anza

{{Infobox historic site | name = Camp Anza | image = Camp_Anza_1945.jpg | caption = US Army Camp Camp Anza in 1945 | location= Riverside, California | coordinates = {{coord|33.943|-117.463 |format=dms|region:US-CA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | locmapin = California | area = 1,240 acres | built = 1942 | architect= US Army | architecture= | designation1 = | designation1_number= | designation1_date = | designation2 = | designation2_date = | designation2_number = | governing_body = }} thumb|right|Camp Anza in 1945 US Army cooking training '''Camp Anza''' was a United States Army installation, in Riverside, California, during World War II. Construction began on July 3, 1942, and was completed on February 15, 1943. The camp was named after Juan Bautista de Anza, an early explorer who camped near the site in 1774. The US Army purchased the 1,240-acre site from the Willits J. Hole Ranch (1910–1942), a barley and wheat farm. Before 1910 the land was part of Rancho La Sierra (1797–1910).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mermillied |first1=Jennifer |title=Riverside During World War II |date=October 2022 |publisher=Riverside Historical Society |location=Riverside, CA |isbn=979-8849200880 |pages=149–177 |chapter=The Camp Anza Officers Club: Supporting Mobilization and Morale During World War II}}</ref>

The post was activated on December 2, 1942, initially designated as '''Arlington Staging Area''' and '''Arlington Special Training Center''', and renamed Camp Anza on December 12, 1942. Camp Anza was a large army base with 512 buildings housing 20,000 troops. Over 600,000 troops were processed over the three years of use. The camp had over a hundred wood barracks. Also Built were: headquarters, recreation rooms, chapel, laundry building, Southern Pacific Railroad station, library, fire station, newspaper print room (''Anza Zip''), 2,000 seat outdoor theater, water storage tower, motor pool, heating plant, and mess halls. Bob Hope, Jack Benny and Eddie Cantor often entertained troops there. ''The Pepsodent Show Starring Bob Hope'', a radio shows was broadcast from the camp one night. Most troops at the camp were shipped out at the Los Angeles Port of Embarkation at Camp Ross. Before departing troops had immunizations, gas masks training, completed a will, had rope ladder climbing training, recorded personal property, and at Hole Lake, ''abandoned ship'' training. Possessing took eight to ten days before shipping out to the Pacific War. In August, 1945, returning troops started to arrive at Camp Anza. To serve the troops the camp also had a camp hospital. The 8th Italian Quartermaster Service Company, one of many Italian Service Units worked at Camp Anza. Camp Anza was deactivated on March 31, 1946.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://militarymuseum.org/CpAnza.html|title=Historic California Posts: Camp Anza|website=militarymuseum.org}}</ref><ref>[http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1054/files/camp%20anza%20final%20report.pdf City of Riverside: Camp Anza/Arlanza 2006–2007, Certified Local Government Grant Historical Resources Inventory and Context Statement]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://militarymuseum.org/camp%20anza%20final%20report%20(1).pdf|title=City of Riverside Camp Anza/Arlanza 2006–2007 Certified Local Government Grant Historical Resources Inventory And Context Statement}}</ref><ref>[http://militarymuseum.org/CpAnzaASR.pdf Corps of Engineers Report, Camp Anza]</ref>

Philip H. Philbin Jr. purchased the camp in 1948 for $510,000. Philbin sold off much of the camp. Six local schools starting using the former camp. The street layout of the camp was kept. A housing subdivision called Anza Village and Arlanza Neighborhood was built on the land. Today{{when?|date=December 2022}} there remains: a few barracks, chapel, the headquarters, laundry facility, officer's club and warehouse; all reused buildings. The city has a Historical Resources Inventory of the buildings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://militarymuseum.org/PWcamps.html|title=Prisoner of War Camps in California|website=militarymuseum.org}}</ref><ref>"Landmarks of Riverside and the Stories Behind Them", Riverside, CA: ''Press-Telegram'', 1964, by Patterson, Tom</ref>

Units stationed at the camp: * 229th Military Police Company (Zone of the Interior) (ASF) * 1941st Service Command Unit (Station Complement) (ASF) * 8th Italian Quartermaster Service Company (ASF) * 385th Army Service Forces Band (ASF) * Detachment, 9206th Transportation Corps Technical Service Unit (Los Angeles Port of Embarkation (ASF) * 22nd Army Air Forces Base Unit (Army Air Forces Command Group, Non-Divisional Unit) (AAF)

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == * [http://www.militarymuseum.org/ California State Military Museum page ]

Category:Military in Riverside County, California Category:Military installations in California Category:Former installations of the United States Army Category:Former training facilities of the United States Army Category:History of Riverside, California Category:California in World War II Category:Formerly Used Defense Sites in California Category:1942 establishments in California Category:1946 disestablishments in California Category:Military installations established in 1943 Category:Military installations closed in 1946