Horses and Mules arrive at World War I Camp Gordon

Camp Gordon, a World War I training camp, was built quickly in June of 1917 and recruits began arriving in July. The camp was located in Chamblee, Georgia on land that is today home to DeKalb Peachtree Airport.

By September of 1917, plans were announced for a Remount Station, near Johnson Ferry Road and north of Peachtree Road on one hundred and fifty acres.  Today this is the location of a Lowe’s home improvement store. Prior to Lowe’s, the property was the location of a Frito-Lay plant.

A Remount Station prepares horses to replace those already serving in the war effort. The station that was part of Camp Gordon included ten paddocks, housing for personnel, an administration building, training area for blacksmiths, two mess halls, a guard house, and a storage building.  Five to six hundred men were needed to work at the Remount Station. The veterinarians caring for the horses lived on site.

The September 21, 1917 Atlanta Constitution announced that Captain C. G. Thomson had established his headquarters in the Remount Station section of the camp.

Troops I and K of the 11th Cavalry were stationed at the Remount Station. Thomson announced 298 additional men were needed for remount service. Positions to be filled included office workers, stenographers, clerks, farriers, horseshoers, saddlers and storekeepers. Farriers care for and trim horses hooves.

The Remount Station at Camp Gordon was anticipating taking care of 7,000 to 9,000 horses and mules. The animals came from the southwest U.S., but also from Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee.

A few months after the end of WWI, Remount Stations began to hold auctions to sell off their horses. The April 15, 1919 Atlanta Journal advertised auctions at Camp Gordon, Camp Wheeler in Macon, Georgia, and Camp Hancock in Augusta, Georgia. Auctions in neighboring states were also advertised.

“These animals are all prime, fat and in good condition,” declared the advertisement. Each sale included “lunch on the grounds.”