CAMP HOWZE (World War II)

In 1942, about 58,000 acres in an area north west of Gainesville was required by the Federal Government for the establishment of Camp Howze and the training of soldiers for World War II. The Vast area was cleared of all improvements and families who had been there since early settlement were dispossessed of their land, homes and livelihood and moved out. This included a large part of the Sivells Bend Community for maneuver areas and training grounds. Although the town, churches and the school were left intact in the north east corner of the community as well as the farm land in the Sivells Bend Bottom and Frog Bottom, the people living there had to pass through the Army Camp to get to Gainesville.

After WWII, Camp Howze was dismantled in 1946; the land could be bought back by the former owners. Many preferred not to return having settled elsewhere. The return meant making a complete new start, breaking the land, building houses, barns, fences, and as a result, many properties were consolidated into larger farms and ranches. Those who did return pioneered, as did the early settlers.