Documenting the American South

Doc South header logo Home
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes banner

Source:  Camp Chronicle Marker, Gastonia. Photo courtesy of Rusty Long

  • Monument Name

    Camp Chronicle Marker, Gastonia

  • Type

    Marker

  • Subjects

    World War I

  • City

    Gastonia

  • County

    Gaston

  • Description

    A bronze plaque is mounted on a very large irregular shaped granite boulder standing almost five feet tall. The plaque is adorned with the image of a World War One “Doughboy” charging into action with fixed bayonet. The top of the plaque has a partially furled flag and two United States banners. On the bottom left is the spinning wheel insignia of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Although the marker dates Camp Chronicle as 1917, it was not approved as an army camp until late January or early February 1918. It was named for Major William Chronicle in March 1918.

    Images: Bronze plaque | Side view

  • Inscription

    DEDICATED TO / THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS OF / GASTON COUNTY WHO SERVED IN THE / WORLD WAR / THIS BOULDER / MARKS THE SITE OF CAMP CHRONICLE / AN ARTILLERY CAMP IN 1917 / NAMED IN HONOR OF MAJOR WM. CHRONICLE / A NATIVE OF THIS COUNTY / AND / A HERO OF THE BATTLE OF / KINGS MOUNTAIN / ERECTED BY / WILLIAM GASTON CHAPTER / DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION / 1925

  • Dedication Date

    November 11, 1925

  • Decade

    1920s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.245810 , -81.212110 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      “Artillery Camp Named For Major Chronicle,” The Gastonia Gazette (Gastonia, NC), March 22, 1918

      “Beautiful Marker Is Unveiled At Chronicle,” The Gastonia Gazette (Gastonia, NC), November 11, 1925, 1, 8

      “Camp Chronicle Is Temporarily Deserted,” The Gastonia Gazette (Gastonia, NC), April 24, 1918

      “Camp Chronicle Will Pass Into History,” The Gastonia Gazette (Gastonia, NC), June 28, 1918

      “Report On Artillery Range Is Completed,” The Gastonia Gazette (Gastonia, NC), January 21, 1918

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Bronze, granite

  • Sponsors

    William Gaston Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution

  • Monument Dedication and Unveiling

    Although the marker was sponsored by the D.A.R., it was presented by them to the Gaston Post of the American Legion. Post commander W.G. Gaston accepted the tablet and paid tribute to the services rendered overseas by those who trained at Camp Chronicle.

  • Subject Notes

    The camp was named after Major William Chronicle, a hero of the battle of Kings Mountain during the American Revolution. The camp was established as an artillery training base and was in active use for only six weeks in March and April of 1918 by the 4th Field Brigade Artillery that was stationed there prior to leaving for France. Only 2,500 troops in total were ever stationed there. Troops from Camp Greene in Charlotte may have also used the site for artillery training. By July 1918 the camp was closed.

  • Location

    The memorial is located at the intersection of Linwood Road and Monument Avenue, just a few feet off of the roadway, in Gastonia, NC.

  • Landscape

    The marker stands on a grassy area, with trees behind it. The landscape is part of the Epworth United Methodist church lawn.

Icon for reporting missing/incorrect information Know anything else about this monument that isn't mentioned here? If you have additional information on this or any other monument in our collection fill out the form at the Contact Us link in the footer. Thank you.