Draft Men Quarters at Historic Fort Slocum, 1917

This photograph captures Fort Slocum in 1917, during a pivotal moment in U.S. history marked by World War I. Located on Davids Island in New Rochelle, New York, Fort Slocum was established as a military training facility. The image showcases temporary structures—often referred to as shacks—that were built to accommodate the influx of drafted soldiers preparing for their deployment.

During World War I, the United States implemented a military draft in 1917, dramatically increasing the number of men in uniform. Fort Slocum played a crucial role in this process, providing a base for training and processing thousands of soldiers before they were sent overseas. The presence of these makeshift housing units highlights the urgent need to handle the surge in military personnel as the nation mobilized to join the Allied efforts in Europe. This photograph serves as a tangible reminder of the conditions that faced many who served during the war.