Right here, before us, stand the remnants of what once was the Camp Elliott Commanding General’s Residence. It echoes with stories of a time when this area buzzed with military activity.
Camp Elliott played a significant role in preparing Marines for service during World War II. In 1934, the U.S. Marine Corps leased almost 20,000 acres in San Diego. This land served as a training ground for artillery, anti-aircraft, and machine gun exercises. As World War II began, Camp Elliott expanded. By 1941, it covered 32,000 acres. The base included living areas and 41 firing ranges.
Camp Elliott earned its name on June 14, 1940. It was named after Major General George F. Elliott. He was the Marine Corps’ tenth Commandant, serving from 1903 to 1910. The renaming occurred because military custom dictates against naming installations after living people.
Initially, the Marines lived in tents while construction progressed. By October 1940, twelve barracks and a mess hall were ready. Additional land acquisition further expanded Camp Elliott to 26,034 acres.
By September 1942, Camp Elliott became the home of the Fleet Marine Force Training Center, West Coast. Its mission was to train individual replacements for combat duty. The 2nd Marine Division assembled here in January 1942. Major-General C.F.B. Price commanded this division and assumed responsibility for training. More than 50,000 officers and soldiers trained and shipped out to combat zones in just over a year.
Besides the main camp, other training camps existed within the Camp Elliott Naval Reservation. These included Camp Linda Vista, Green Farm Camp, and Jacques Farm Camp. A Parachute School also operated here. Naval records indicate a Naval Training and Distribution Center was present.
However, Camp Elliott’s role shifted in 1944. The Marines relocated to Camp Pendleton in northern San Diego County. Control of Camp Elliott then went to the Navy. The Navy and Marine Corps used it as a training and redistribution center until 1953. From 1953 until 1960, various other military units used Camp Elliott.
Camp Elliott closed in 1960. Between 1960 and 1961, the Navy transferred 7,709 acres to Naval Air Station Miramar. Another 5,720 acres went to the Air Force. The Air Force acres transferred to NASA in 1966, then back to the Navy in 1972. These acres officially became part of Naval Air Station Miramar in 1977. The remaining land was declared surplus after Camp Elliott’s closure.
Today, standing here, one might not realize the extent of Camp Elliott’s past. It was more than just buildings and training grounds. It was a place where countless Marines prepared to serve their country. Although largely gone, its legacy remains. The Camp Elliott Commanding General’s Residence reminds us of this important chapter in San Diego’s military history. It represents the leadership and dedication that defined Camp Elliott.