On the eve of U.S. involvement in World War II, Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland, was the only chemical manufacturing installation of the Chemical Warfare Service. Consequently, the Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service requested that the War Department acquire additional facilities to supplement Edgewood's production. About 30,000 acres of land suitable for construction purposes were required for the site of the additional facilities. The land was to be located inland, far enough from the seacoast to provide sufficient protection. Also needed was access to adequate rail, water, and highway transportation; sufficient fuel and electrical power; and ample construction materials and enough raw materials for subsequent operations. Areas considered for the site included Florence, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama; El Dorado, Arkansas; Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri; Toledo, Ohio; Memphis, Tennessee; and Charleston, West Virginia.
On 3 July 1941, the War Department announced that a site on the southwestern edge of Huntsville, Alabama, had been selected as the location for the new chemical munitions manufacturing and storage plant. Not only was this area an inland site, but its numerous mountain ranges afforded additional protection. Moreover, the tract of land selected contained over 30,000 acres which were available at very reasonable prices. The transportation facilities, labor conditions, and climate, health, and living conditions of the area were considered to be excellent. Material for construction and raw material for manufacturing could be obtained easily. Also readily available were large supplies of soft coal and fuel oil. The water supply and sewage disposal presented no problems. Finally, the Tennessee Valley Authority could furnish the required electric power.
On 24 July 1941, the War Department announced that the official name of the new chemical munitions plant was Huntsville Arsenal. The Chemical Warfare Service proposed that the site be named Sibert Arsenal in honor of Major General William L. Sibert, a native of Gadsden, Alabama, and the first Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service from June 1918 to February 1920. The name Sibert, however, was reserved for Camp Sibert, a training center of the Chemical Warfare Service which was established at Gadsden in 1942. It was subsequently deactivated at the end of the war.
The first Commanding Officer of Huntsville Arsenal arrived on 4 August 1941 and broke ground for initial construction of the arsenal.
Main
phone numbers: Commercial (256)876-2151 or
DSN 746-2151
Mailing
address: Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898-5355
Population:
1,644 active duty; 12748 civilians
Housing: 126
officer family units; 488 enlisted family units; wait up
to 30 days or longer for enlisted housing, 90 days for
officers (256)842-2449
Temporary
lodging: 20 cottages; 22 guest-house
units; 130 visitor spaces; campground (256)837-4130
Family
Support Center: (256)876-5397
Schools: None
on base.
Child
Care: Center for 172 (256)876-7952
Health
care: Clinic. Appointments
(256)955-8888; benefits (256)955-6497; Tricare
(800)444-5445
Redstone Arsenal - Huntsville, AL
has a medium size commissary - (256)876-3517,
a medium exchange, a mall, and one shoppette
(256)883-6100. Recreation at Redstone Arsenal - Huntsville, AL
includes arts and crafts, bowling, library, auto hobby,
golf, gym, tennis, swimming, outdoor activities, camping,
fishing, and stables.
