Fort Devens

Fort Devens. It is a former United States Army installation located in the towns of Ayer and Shirley in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Established during the First World War, it served as a major training and mobilization center for over seven decades. The post played significant roles during both World War II and the Cold War before its closure in the 1990s. Today, the site operates as a multi-use facility housing military, federal, and civilian entities.

History

The land for the installation was acquired in 1917 as the United States prepared to enter World War I. It was initially named Camp Devens in honor of Charles Devens, a Union Army general and former Attorney General from Massachusetts. The camp was constructed with remarkable speed to train elements of the 76th Infantry Division and the 12th Infantry Division. During the 1918 influenza pandemic, the camp's hospital was overwhelmed, becoming one of the first and largest outbreak sites in the United States, which was studied by physicians like William Henry Welch.

World War I and World War II

Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, activity diminished, and it was nearly closed before being designated a permanent garrison and renamed Fort Devens in 1931. Its importance surged again with the onset of World War II. The fort became a massive reception and training center, processing hundreds of thousands of soldiers through its Replacement Depot. It was the home of the 1st Infantry Division and trained elements of the 45th Infantry Division and the 26th Infantry Division. Notable units like the 4th Infantry Division and the 5th Infantry Division also activated or trained there before deploying to the European Theater.

Post-war era and closure

After V-J Day, Fort Devens transitioned to a Cold War posture, serving as a key center for military intelligence and Army Reserve training. It housed the Army Security Agency and, later, the 10th Special Forces Group. The fort was also a major site for processing soldiers during the Vietnam War. Its fate was sealed by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process; it was selected for closure in 1991, and the Department of Defense ended active military operations there in 1996.

Current use and redevelopment

The property was divided and redeveloped under the oversight of the Massachusetts Department of Economic Development. A large portion, known as Devens, is managed by the state-chartered MassDevelopment as a sustainable mixed-use community. This area hosts the Army Reserve's 94th Training Division, the Massachusetts Army National Guard, and a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. Other sections house the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and various private companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Geography and facilities

The installation originally encompassed over 9,000 acres in north-central Massachusetts, near the Nashua River. Its terrain included training areas, ranges, and a large airfield, Moore Army Airfield. Significant historic structures remain, such as the post museum located in the former 1879 Ayer railroad station and the Fort Devens Memorial Chapel. The core cantonment area features red brick buildings characteristic of early 20th-century Army construction, while the surrounding Devens Reserve Forces Training Area continues to be used for military exercises by components like the Navy and Marine Corps.