Historic Landscape Inventory with Recommendations for Landscape Treatment, Camp Bullis, Bexar County, Texas

Summary

The historic cantonment area at Camp Bullis represents a typical Army training facility built during the period between World Wars.

An overview of the natural history of the region concludes that the Hill Country landscape was shaped by geologic and climatic conditions. The resulting landscape, with its varied terrain of rolling hills and open valleys is well suited to the needs of a training facility, yet at the same time quite sensitive to the effects of human disturbance.

Unique natural site features made this location “admirably suited to all purposes of military training” (Manguso 1991). Natural landscape features include the prominent hills and ridges that surround the camp and firing ranges; the open valley of Salado Creek; the outcroppings of limestone bedrock; and the native oak-juniper vegetation. Man-made landscape features have dominated the Camp Bullis cantonment area since the first development in 1917. These include the target ranges, with firing lines at Salado Creek directed toward Hogan Ridge; rows of semi-permanent mess halls and tents for enlisted men along the natural contour to the south of the creek; additional clusters of semi-permanent administrative and service buildings and officers’ quarters near the enlisted mens’ quarters; a compound for the commanding officer and other officers at the hilltop Scheele Ranch site; and recreational facilities scattered in the space between the camp and the ranges.

The plan that was implemented between 1929 and 1939 fulfilled important functional needs while also responding to contemporary aesthetic preferences. The functional needs were for the housing and safety of troops. The largest camp area was designated for troops, with a smaller, slightly elevated area designated for officers. The camp was situated also for its proximity to the firing ranges, yet located behind the firing line for safety reasons, rather than beyond the targets.

Future plans for the cantonment area call for additional construction of community and support facilities. Care must be taken to ensure that the materials, massing and siting are all in keeping with the historic character of the cantonment area.

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Cultural Resource Office, Joint Base San Antonio

Repository(s): Fort Sam Houston

Prepared By(s): U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories

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