Army Bases

Fort Eustis, Virginia

Fort Eustis was known in colonial times as Mulberry Island. It was the residence of John Rolfe, husband of Indian Princess Pocahontas.

On March 7,1918, the Army bought Mulberry Island and the surrounding acreage for $538,000 in response to World War I. Camp Abraham Eustis was established as a coast artillery replacement center for Fort Monroe and a balloon observation school. It was named for Brevet Brigadier General Abraham Eustis, the first commanding officer of Fort Monroe.

It became Fort Eustis and a permanent military installation in 1923. It was garrisoned by artillery and infantry units until 1931, when it became a federal prison, primarily for bootleggers. Prohibition's repeal forced a prisoner decline and the post was taken over by various other military and non-military activities.

Fort Eustis was reopened as a military installation in August 1940 as the Coast Artillery Replacement Training Center. In 1946, Fort Eustis became home to the newly-formed Transportation School which moved here from New Orleans. Training in rail, marine, amphibious operations and other modes of transportation was consolidated at Fort Eustis.

Fort Eustis is on 8,250 acres, has 952 family housing units and 4,176 troop housing.