Camp Wesley Harris

[Gunner Dave]

Here's a little something for the American sailors who've served in the West
Sound area (WA state), past and present:

It's come to my attention recently that a new shooting range is in the
works, intended to serve the needs of SUBASE Bangor, PSNS, and their tenant
commands. The schedule seems to change occasionally but the last word I got
is that ground will be broken in two months or so. When the new range is
completed, Camp Wesley Harris will be decommed. The word I have now is that
the classroom and office buildings will be retained for historical reasons
(as the whole facility should be), while the remainder of the structures
will be demolished. I'm unsure of the planned fate for the Back Fourty, but
seeing as how there are 300+ acres of prime woodland there, it'll most
likely either end up as a park or a housing development. I don't believe
the Navy will be hanging on to it.

Seeing as how I currently work there and I'm a bit of a history buff, I'm
taking it upon myself to learn as much about the location, and its history,
as possible before it's gone forever. Depending on how much information I
can collect, I'll see about putting up a website when I'm further along. I
don't have much yet but I'm still tracking down some things. (Every time I
hear about how many records have been thrown out over the years, I wince.)

If you have any experience with the area -- worked there, shot there,
whatever -- and have some information you can add, however insignificant or
inane you feel it may be, I need to hear from you. You may as well email it
to me directly for bandwidth's sake. Some things I'm looking for in
particular: details on USMC useage of the site (early 1900's time period),
what the buildings were originally used for, which buildings have been razed
since then, and the location and nature of firing ranges that have since
been abandoned and grown in. I'm very interested in locating photographs of
areas that have been abandoned and comparing them with photographs of the
locations today.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[eight...@gmail.com]

This looks interesting! You have to be a member of MCA&F to read the article!

https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/1929/11/marines-dedication-camp-wesley-harris

[a425couple]

<eight...@gmail.com> wrote in message...

> On Tuesday, November 4, 2003 at 5:05:36 PM UTC-8, Gunner Dave wrote:
>> Here's a little something for the American sailors who've served in the
>> West
>> Sound area (WA state), past and present:
>>
>> It's come to my attention recently that a new shooting range is in the

>> works, ------- When the new range is

>> completed, Camp Wesley Harris will be decommed. The word I have now is
>> that
>> the classroom and office buildings will be retained for historical
>> reasons
>> (as the whole facility should be), while the remainder of the structures
>> will be demolished. I'm unsure of the planned fate for the Back Fourty,
>> but
>> seeing as how there are 300+ acres of prime woodland there, it'll most
>> likely either end up as a park or a housing development. I don't believe

>> the Navy will be hanging on to it. ---

>> Thanks in advance for your help.
>
> This looks interesting! You have to be a member of MCA&F to read the
> article!
> https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/1929/11/marines-dedication-camp-wesley-harris

Hey "eightarrows", I hope you realize that's a 12 year old
post you responded to.
But meanwhile,
After Vietnam and after I got off active duty, I hung around
in the active USMC Reverve for several years.
I was OIC of a number of range qualification details at
that rifle range. I've got no records or photos.
Not much has changed in that area (check out Google Maps)
and here is a bit more current info:

Beavers blamed for flooding Camp Wesley Harris - Kitsap Sun
www.kitsapsun.com/.../beavers-blamed-for-flooding-camp-wesley-harris-e...
Kitsap Sun
Dec 4, 2012 - The Navy believes beavers are responsible for damming a
culvert under Seabeck Highway that's backing up water into Camp Wesley
Harris.

Prosecutor's Targeting of Gun Range Exec Enters 15th Year - Tea ...
www.teapartytribune.com/.../prosecutors-targeting-of-gun-range-exec-enters-15th-ye...
Apr 21, 2014 - Camp Wesley Harris, the adjacent naval reserve, has never had
lead cleaned up from its property. The reality is ... four children. Show
full bio .

A Marine at Camp Wesley Harris,Bremerton Washington,1937 - Reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/MilitaryPorn/.../a_marine_at_camp_wesley_harrisbremerton...
Nov 11, 2015 - A Marine at Camp Wesley Harris,Bremerton Washington,1937
[732x960] (i.imgur.com). submitted 6 months ago by MerryPrankster1967.

Gun range shot full of danger
www.cpeo.org/lists/military/2004/msg00201.html
Mar 17, 2004 - Camp Wesley Harris, the Navy's 387-acre shooting range west
of ... Four historical garbage dumps were identified on the site, Kiess
said.

Prospects for cleanup uncertain for range - Kitsap Sun
www.kitsapsun.com/.../prospects-for-cleanup-uncertain-for-range-ep-4175...
Kitsap Sun
Apr 22, 2012 - When the shooting range at nearby Camp Wesley Harris was
being ... They said four historical garbage dumps on the property also need
..