Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: Winter 2005 Volume 42 Number 1, Page 32

Then... & Now
CAMP FULLER

Page 32

From May to November 1918, between 500 and 700 U.S. Marines were stationed at a newly established Marine training camp, called Camp Fuller, in Tredyffrin on the west side of Cedar Hollow Road between the Trenton Cut-Off and the tracks of the Chester Valley Branch of the Reading Railroad. Taylor Gifts is now located at the site.

During World War I the Marines had just one company of trained signal personnel —about 60 men—scattered throughout the entire Atlantic fleet. Signal communication had grown in importance and further training and increased numbers of personnel were needed. Since some signal practice had already taken place at Valley Forge, the 37-acre property of Dr. A. A. O'Daniels described above was chosen.

The Camp was laid out in streets of 30 two-man tents, 15 on each side. In addition, there were 3 frame mess halls, lavatories, a large shower bath, and a sick bay. All tents and buildings had pine wood floors or decks. There was some electricity, but light was mostly by candle and lantern.

New recruits arriving at Broad Street Station in Philadelphia marched out to Camp Fuller on foot, with a lunch stop at Villanova College. Their baggage came by trucks from the Philadelphia Navy Yard which made daily trips to the camp with supplies and rations. The camp had a couple of trucks, 3 motorcycles, and a few cars privately owned by officers. Everything else moved by foot.

Instruction was in semaphore, Morse code, night lamps, radio, telephone, and telegraph, and in laying wire and setting up poles.

The mess sergeants took advantage of produce from local farms and dairies and the food was considered to be well above average. The troops came to Paoli for diversion and entertainment provided by the Paoli Red Cross, and in neighbors' homes. One home was set up as a center with a card room, books, music, pool tables, a canteen, and sleeping quarters and shower baths with unlimited hot water. In addition, the local YMCA sponsored a tent at the camp for writing, motion pictures, lectures, and public speakers.

The Camp was closed in November 1918 and while the troops were preparing to be shipped to a new camp near Nice, France, the war ended and they never went. At least 4 of the men stationed at Camp Fuller remained in the area, settling in Berwyn, Paoli, and Malvern.