CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has dedicated a new historical marker at the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Area, commemorating the role Camp Sherman played in training soldiers during World War I.
Camp Sherman, which opened in September 1917 just outside Chillicothe, was one of 16 U.S. Army training centers established during the war. More than 1,000 buildings were constructed to prepare recruits, and by the war’s end in November 1918, an estimated 120,000 soldiers had trained at the site.
“Ohio played a key role by training thousands of soldiers during World War I and it’s important we recognize this piece of history,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “I am proud to have the historical marker at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Area, showcasing how the land was used during wartime and the purpose it now has today as a protected piece of land for habitat and wildlife.”
After the war, Camp Sherman was dismantled in 1921 and later used as a decommissioning center for returning troops. The site has since served multiple purposes, including as a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital and as a designated National Historic Park.
In 1960, ODNR’s Division of Wildlife acquired a portion of the grounds through the Federal Sikes Act, pledging to conserve the land for wildlife and natural habitats. Today, the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Area spans 1,469 acres of fields and woodlands where visitors can hunt, hike, and birdwatch. The area supports diverse species, from white-tailed deer and rabbits to five active bald eagle nests.
The new marker offers visitors the chance to reflect on the land’s military past while appreciating its transformation into a thriving conservation area.
