Former Rotterdam town historian Dick Whalen's home and collection was severely damaged during Hurricane Irene. Former SCHS librarian Melissa Tacke, along with SCHS volunteers worked to salvage as much of his collection as they could (see: http://gremsdoolittlelibrary.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-first-look-at-dick-whalen-collection.html). His collection was a treasure trove of photos and documents from Rotterdam and Rotterdam Junction. Part of the photo collection shows soldiers during WWI at the former army depot in Rotterdam/South Schenectady. The photos mainly show the depot during 1917, but by 1918 it had become a hotbed for the Spanish Flu. By October 1, 1918, 40 men at the depot had caught the flu with 3 dying from it. These photos are an interesting snapshot of what life was like at the depot during World War I.
After the war, the depot was involved with receiving returned material from overseas bases and posts, often being sold through surplus sales. From 1933 to 1940, the base was a headquarters for supplying 55 Civilian Conservation Camps. This new function of the depot allowed it to transition for greater expansion during the outbreak of World War II. Expansion happened again during the Korean War when 1,300 additional employees were utilized and several more buildings were constructed. The land that the depot was on changed hands a few times after the Korean War and is now part of the Northeast Industrial Park.
My mom and dad worked here and later bought a home on Harold St. Where I grew up.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, Mary. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy dad worked here with CCC from 1938-1940. He was part of "Maintenace Detachment #2". I have a photo of the men and commanders of MD#2. It was inscribed by the photographer affirming it's authenticity.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad was here with CCC from 1938-1940 in "Maintenace Detachment #2". I have a photo of MD#2 of all personnel including commanders. The photographer inscribed the photo confirming its authenticity.
ReplyDeleteMy great uncle Col. George Traver was the commander of the depot for part of World War II. My grandmother worked there from WWII into the 1950s.
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