Page title showing a yellowed grungy background with a logo which reads "From Trenches to Triumph U.S.A." The logo is circular in shape with a red, white and blue upper border and a red, yellow and blue lower border. Below the logo is text in navy blue which reads "The Salvation Army in World War I"
Black and white photo of a woman wearing a dress with the sleeves rolled up. She is making doughnuts at a table in a large WWI era kitchen.
Captain Maja Thell was stationed at the Camp Travis San Antonio, TX hut from December 1918 until January 1919 and then the Camp Logan hut in Houston, TX until April 1919.
Black and white photograph of a large two story wood building with white wrap around porch. Signs on the building identify it as a Salvation Army Hut and Rest Room
Exterior of hut at Camp Travis, San Antonio, TX
Black and white photograph of the interior of a large room. Wood timber support posts have US flags decorating them. Pews provide seating in the room.
Chapel at Camp Travis, San Antonio, TX

Looking After the Troops at Home

Huts and hostels were established by The Salvation Army on or near stateside U.S. military camps. They provided servicemen with the comforts of home, including nourishing meals, a quiet place to write letters, clothing repair and, most importantly, spiritual enrichment.

Stateside hut buildings were permanent structures. A standard hut measured 65 feet wide by 120 feet deep. The ground floor contained large social halls with writing desks, tables, a library, and an auditorium where religious services and entertainments were held. Servicemen had magazines, games, a record player, and a piano available for their use.

A “Coffee Ann” provided refreshments, including doughnuts, for a small charge. The second floor contained living quarters for staff along with furnished bedrooms for visiting soldiers’ relatives. Altogether, 13 huts and hostels were in operation stateside.

 

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