Fort Jackson, South Carolina — History & Visitor Guide

Fort Jackson (Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina)

Columbia, Richland County · South Carolina · World War I onwards

Quick BriefEstablished in June 1917 when the War Department designated Columbia as a site for one of the new Army divisional training camps, Fort Jackson began construction as a major cantonment during World War I. Named for Andrew Jackson, a U.S. Army general and seventh president, who was born in the border region of North and South Carolina, the installation remains the largest and most active Initial Entry Training center in the U.S. Army, training 50% of all Soldiers entering the Army each year.

Active base todayOpen to visitors

History & Significance

In May 1917, Columbia was designated as a site for an Army divisional training camp, and by June 2, 1917, the War Department approved construction of Camp Jackson. From June to December 1917, more than 1,500 buildings were completed, and another 550 were added over the next year.

Camp Jackson was shut down at the conclusion of World War I and abandoned April 25, 1922, pursuant to General Orders No. 33. Until 1939, Camp Jackson was controlled by the state of South Carolina as an encampment area for National Guard troops before coming under Federal control again in 1939 as an infantry training center.

Camp Jackson was upgraded to "fort" status in 1940. Eight Army divisions trained during World War II, and in June 1942 Prime Minister Winston Churchill witnessed a review at Fort Jackson.

The Korean War halted a planned closure in 1950, and Fort Jackson continued as a training center. A rapid influx of black and white draftees in 1950 contributed to it becoming one of the first Army installations to undergo large-scale desegregation. Unusually close civilian-military ties were cemented in 1968 when the city of Columbia annexed the post.

Key Facts

StateSouth Carolina

LocationColumbia, Richland County

Established1917

War / eraWorld War I onwards

Current statusActive military

Coordinates34.03916667, -80.82222222

Map

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

Army's largest recruit training center
Public museum documenting military history and soldier training
52,000-acre active military installation
Exhibits on basic combat training and Army development

Best time to visitSpring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer moderate temperatures, avoiding South Carolina's hot, humid summers.

Getting thereFly into MmT (McEntire Joint National Guard Base) 13 km away, or use Columbia's commercial airports (CAE – Columbia Metropolitan) for easier access, then drive to the fort near Columbia.

From the nearest major airportColumbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)🚗 28 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 1 hr 11 min drive

Fort Jackson (Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina)

History & Significance

Key Facts

Map

🧳 Visiting

Sources

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