Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant

Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant was a major United States Army facility for the production and demilitarization of munitions. Located near Karnack in Harrison County, it operated for over five decades, playing a significant role in conflicts from World War II through the Cold War. Following its closure, the site became a prominent case of environmental remediation and industrial redevelopment under federal programs.

History

The facility was constructed rapidly between 1941 and 1942 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in response to the munitions demands of World War II. Initially operated by the Defense Plant Corporation, its early production focused on TNT and other explosives. After the war, operations were scaled back until reactivation during the Korean War, with the United States Army Ordnance Corps assuming management. The plant's mission evolved significantly during the Vietnam War, shifting toward the production of specialized propellants and the demilitarization of obsolete munitions. Throughout the Cold War, it remained a key asset within the United States Army Materiel Command's industrial base, supporting various modernization programs.

Operations and production

The plant's primary function was the manufacture and processing of solid propellants for rockets, missiles, and artillery. Key production lines included propellant for the Lance missile system and the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). It also housed extensive facilities for loading, assembling, and packing munitions, as well as a large demilitarization area for safely disposing of outdated ordnance. Operations were conducted under strict protocols from the Picatinny Arsenal and involved handling sensitive materials like HMX and RDX. The workforce, which peaked during wartime surges, included civilian employees managed by various contracting entities under the oversight of the United States Department of Defense.

Environmental impact and cleanup

Industrial operations led to significant contamination of soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals, including explosives residues and solvents. The site was listed on the National Priorities List (Superfund) in 1990, triggering a major environmental response. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality oversaw a remediation program led by the United States Army Environmental Command. Cleanup actions included incineration of contaminated soils, groundwater pump-and-treat systems, and the removal of numerous contaminated structures. This process became a benchmark for the remediation of former military production facilities.

Closure and redevelopment

The plant was officially closed in 1997 following the end of the Cold War and subsequent Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decisions. Ownership was transferred to the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for conservation and public use. A significant portion was also converted into the Longhorn Commerce Park, an industrial redevelopment project. This transition, facilitated by the General Services Administration, is considered a successful model for converting a former military installation to mixed civilian use, balancing economic development with environmental stewardship.

See also

* Holston Army Ammunition Plant * Lake City Army Ammunition Plant * Radford Army Ammunition Plant * Superfund * Caddo Lake

Category:Buildings and structures in Harrison County, Texas Category:Superfund sites in Texas Category:United States Army ammunition plants Category:Industrial facilities completed in 1942