Bookmark this page or copy and paste URL to Email message

Army National Guard Environmental Restoration Collection, 1979-

NAU.MS.304

Historical Note

The Navajo Ordinance Depot was established by War Department General Order Number Nine on February 5, 1942. Located in Bellemont, Arizona, eleven miles west of Flagstaff, the site was chosen for its plentiful water and proximity to the Santa Fe Railroad. Although delayed due to the heavy snow, cold weather, and the rocky terrain, construction was pushed forward, and the Depot was formally dedicated ten months later on December 7, 1942.

The Depot's proximity to the Navajo and Hopi Reservations offered the opportunity to hire a large number of unskilled laborers. The Depot provided housing for the Native American workers and their families, first in the form of traditional hogans, later in the western style dormitories, apartments and houses. Language barriers were overcome by hiring interpreters and by instituting English language classes.

The Depot's size was dependent upon the military status of the United States. Scaled back in Civilian and military personnel at the end of the World War 2, the Depot became an important ordinance and ammunition production site during the Korean War., but grew during the participation in Vietnam.

In 1962 the Navajo Ordinance Depot was renamed the Navajo Army Depot.

The Depot played an active role in the surrounding communities, sponsoring events and providing employment opportunities. In the late 1960's - early 1970's, the Depot felt the backlash against the military that pervaded the country. This, and its eventual decline in importance in the military hierarchy, caused the Depot to decrease its personnel and withdraw from its previous position in the community. Structures were either sold off and removed or destroyed.

In 1976 the Depot was transferred from the United States Army to its present (civilian) owners, the Arizona National Guard. Controversy continues over the possible existence of munitions and toxic chemical waste being improperly stored. Campo Navajo now functions as a National Guard Training Center for units across the country and as a storage site for rocket motors of ballistic missiles.

As the repository of record for the Camp Navajo restoration material, Northern Arizona University Special Collections and Archives has also received and added to this collection reports concering remediation projects for other Army National Guard sites in Northern Arizona.

Scope and Content Note

Reports consist of environmental impact assessment and analysis of past land use and constructions at Camp Navajo and other Army National Guard sites in Northern Arizona. Studies prepared for USATHAMA and the Army Corps of Engineers by USATHAMA, Tetra Tech, and Weston among others. Specific reports include remedial investigation, community involvement plans, geophysical and environmental surveys, contamination risk assessments, feasibility studies, and site closure decisions pertaining to landfills, ground water, ammunition and drum burial sites, and open burn areas.

Organization

Restrictions

Restrictions

None.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for Northern Arizona University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Related Material

Access Points

Administrative Information

Credit Line

Army National Guard Environmental Restoration Collection, 1979-. Cline Library. Special Collections and Archives Dept. (NAU.MS.304)

Container List