Western Signal Corps School Collection, 1943-1944

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Summary

Creators:
University of California, Davis. Library
Abstract:
From 1943-1944, in the midst of World War II, the UC College of Agriculture at Davis (now the University of California, Davis) was closed and converted to a training facility for the Western Signal Corps School (WSCS). The collection contains school newsletters, a student guide, commemorative album, farewell menu, as well as several photographs.
Extent:
1.2 linear feet
Language:
Collection materials in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], AR-185, Western Signal Corps School Collection, Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains school newsletters, a student guide, commemorative album, farewell menu, as well as several photographs.

Arrangement of the Collection

The collection is arranged in two series: Printed Material and Photographs.

Biographical / historical:

During the fall of 1942 the U.S. Army negotiated with university President Robert Sproul for the use of the Davis campus as a military training school. On January 1, 1943 the entire Davis campus was officially converted into a training facility for the Western Signal Corps School (WSCS).

The WSCS, administered as a subunit of Camp Kohler by Lt. Col. E.A. Allen, took over the dormitories, the gymnasium and swimming pool, the judging pavilions and most of the academic buildings. The library became the radio school. Soldiers generally stayed one to six months for training in communications installation, maintenance, and repair, along with other military skills.

In October 1944 the WSCS closed, having trained a total of about 1,800 men for active duty during the 22 months that the campus was under the jurisdiction of the Army.

Source:

Scheuring, Ann. Abundant Harvest: The History of the University of California, Davis. Davis: The Regents of the University of California, 2001.

Processing information:

Sara Gunasekara processed this collection.

Physical location:
Researchers should contact Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright is protected by the copyright law, chapter 17, of the U.S. Code. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], AR-185, Western Signal Corps School Collection, Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Davis, Special Collections, UC Davis Library
100 NW Quad
Davis, CA 95616-5292, US
Contact:
(530) 752-1621
speccoll@ucdavis.edu
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