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Fort Wolters - Student Barracks Artwork/Graffiti


viking73
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I've been to the grounds of the former Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas many times over the last 10 years. This post trained countless G.I.s in WWII (my grandfather among them) and over 40,000 helicopter pilots during the Vietnam War. Despite having been closed in 1973, there are still many cool things to see. Some great, some sad as the post slowly rots away from time, the elements, and vandals.

 

One amazing part to me is the student artwork that still survives in the a couple of the abandoned student barracks buildings. Pictured here are photos of then that I took on one trip to the former post. I don't know if these can do saved and it would sure be a crime if they were destroyed one day...

 

Here we go:

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Thanks for looking. It's hard to believe that this artwork survived for so long from the elements and idiot vandals. I think this artwork is very special and needs to be saved by someone, somehow. I am just not sure how that can do done being that these are painted onto the walls of a building. I suppose that saving the entire barracks building would be the only way?

 

Some concerned citizens restored the arch at the main gate about 10 years ago, the one pictured here. Maybe something similar can be done with this artwork...

 

-Derek

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Thanks for posting these images. Its truly amazing that vandals haven't ruined everything with their own "art work" as seen at other sites. As far as preservation goes, it depends upon who has the rights to the building. One expedient is to seal the building after a detailed inventory of the structure and artwork is taken. After that its a matter of gathering interested parties with funds to properly manage it, like a non-profit organization, grants, etc. Doing a quick internet search, there seems to be some grassroots interest in preserving Fort Wolters, such as this http://www.fortwolters.com

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Priceless! Thanks for sharing. I had a great time at Wolters in 65 and back again as an IP in 67-68. Good flying and good times! CW4 Ret USAR.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for posting these images. Its truly amazing that vandals haven't ruined everything with their own "art work" as seen at other sites. As far as preservation goes, it depends upon who has the rights to the building. One expedient is to seal the building after a detailed inventory of the structure and artwork is taken. After that its a matter of gathering interested parties with funds to properly manage it, like a non-profit organization, grants, etc. Doing a quick internet search, there seems to be some grassroots interest in preserving Fort Wolters, such as this http://www.fortwolters.com

 

 

It is pretty amazing that these painted works of art have survived time, the elements (most/all the windows are gone) and vandals.

 

I too wonder who owns these buildings...

 

As for your link, I am well aware of that site. The former webmaster (a Vietnam army helicopter pilot) was a friend of mine who passed away from cancer a few years ago. The current webmaster is a friend, also a former army helicopter pilot. I've even written a few pieces for the site about some Nike vets who were stationed there:

 

http://www.fortwolters.com/battery_d_nike_herc.html

 

I also attend meetings in Mineral Wells from time to time of the Fort Wolters Historical Committee. These guys and gals were the ones responsible for getting the replacement arch installed over the main gate about 10 years ago. Their new website is almost ready. When it's up, I'll post the link here.

 

Perhaps this artwork can be part of their next preservation effort.

 

-Derek

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Priceless! Thanks for sharing. I had a great time at Wolters in 65 and back again as an IP in 67-68. Good flying and good times! CW4 Ret USAR.

 

Very cool that you were there at Wolters. How did you like being an IP? Thank you for your service flytiger!

 

-Derek

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