Collections Item Detail
B+W photos, 2, at Balboa Park Naval Station, San Diego, CA, Dec. 15, 1917.
Photograph
Black-and-white photos, two, of men at Balboa Park Naval Station, San Diego, CA, Dec. 15, 1917. 2-1/2" x 4-1/4" wide prints. Photographer not indicated, but probably Elmer C. Waugh. Two prints of the same image; each has different text on the reverse; one dated.
Photo 1. 'First day in detention camp, San Diego, Cal., Dec. 15, 1917.' Posed group photo outside tents at the base.
Photo 2: identifications of several men by last name, not all are legible; two lines at the bottom: 'On board the good ship constipation - "She never Moves.'"
While this image is not from Hoboken, it is related to photos 2010.007.0237 belonging to Waugh. Photos once belonged to relatives of Elmer C. Waugh (an owner of Alder Slope Ranch in Oregon).
The World War I scene at the Balboa Park Naval Station was on the grounds or just outside of the former Panama California International Exposition which closed Jan. 1, 1917. Note the building with large scuptural decoration in the background and men among the tents wearing naval uniforms. The foreground group, which does have a few men in navy uniform, was apparently bivouaced outside the main camp itself. Regular trainees were barracked in buildings inside the former exposition.
The word 'detention' rather than 'induction' on the back of one photo suggests that the men were drafted and declared themselves concientious objectors; they did not want to perform military service. They were in detention camp until they could be assigned to either a civilian or non-combat military position.
Identifications on Photo 2:
[Front row?]: --- / --- / E.C. Co / --- / --- / Kopf / Nesbitt / --- / Bailey / ---
[Second row?]: Moore / Whittington / Nelson / Clover
[Third row?] Belleia[?] / Hoeard[?] / Brown / Lowther / Smith / --- / Wright / Carter / McCoy / Tice / ---
[Fourth row?]: Sanford / Anderson / --- / Houser /Cornoutofski[?] / Cales / Mudge / Carter / ---
2010.007.0237
2010.007
Lukacs, Claire
Gift
Museum Collections. Gift of a friend of the Museum.
Waugh, Elmer C.
1917 - 1917
San Diego, CA
Date: 1917-1917
3 in
4 in
Good
Original or Copy: Original Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2010-10-26