Chaffee tank area added to historic list

The “Camp Chaffee Tank Destroyer Battalion District” has been added to the National Register of Historic Places as of Sept. 23, 2011, according to a statement from the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority.

The Historic District lies in the heart of Chaffee Crossing. The listing comes on the heels of the Chaffee Crossing Historic Area Master plan, created by Crafton Tull and Sparks, being awarded the Arkansas Planning Association 2011 Achievement in Urban Development of Design Award.

The Chaffee Crossing Historic Area master plan incorporates the district into a walk-able, welcoming tourist attraction that will also serve to honor the many Veterans that passed through for training at the pivotal military base.

The district contains U.S. Army barracks buildings from the World War II era.
Construction of Camp Chaffee included five building designs for the 817th & 819th Tank Destroyer Battalions.

Following the end of WWII, buildings were incorporated into training areas for the armored divisions at Chaffee. Hundreds of thousands of troops have been stationed at Chaffee. Included within this designated area is the Chaffee Barbershop Museum, where Elvis Presley received his famous army buzz cut.

Buildings are available for sale or lease with the newly designated area. Later this month Chaffee Crossing with be receiving an award from the Arkansas State Landscapers Association for the Chaffee Crossing Historic Area plan.