Fort Benning, Main Post, Pumphouse, 7081 Edwards Avenue, Fort Benning Military Reservation

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA-2392-J. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

The Pumphouse (Building at Fort Benning Main Post is significant as a contributing resource to the National Register-eligible Fort Benning Main Post Historic District. While the building is not individually architecturally significant, it is an intact example of a support building constructed on the Main Post of Fort Benning in the In addition, it is associated with the Heat Plant for the Infantry Barracks (Building which served the Cuartels. The Cuartels and Heat Plant are contributing resources to the district as noted in the Historic Building Survey: Fort Benning U.S.

Army Infantry Training Center, Georgia.1 The Fort Benning Historic Resource Survey Update does not provide a description of the Pumphouse (Building but does include it in a table of resources, listing it as contributing to the Main Post Historic District.2

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA-2392-J. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Tiya Services, the maintenance contractor for Fort Benning, is planning demolition or alteration of the Pumphouse (Building As 1 Robinson Fisher Associates with Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., Historic Building Survey, Fort Benning U.S. Army Infantry Training Center, Georgia, (Prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, 2 Jaeger Company and Southern Research, Fort Benning Historic Resource Survey Update, (Prepared for the U.S Army Infantry Center Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Management Division, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 2) this building is contributing to the National Register-eligible Fort Benning Main Post Historic District, the building must be documented as part of mitigation for adverse effects.

This mitigation is being completed under Army Alternate Procedures. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 3) Part I. Historical Information A. Physical History 1. Date of erection: 2. Architect: Office of the Constructing Quartermaster, Fort Benning, Georgia. No individual architect has been identified. 3. Original and subsequent owners, occupants, uses: The Pumphouse (Building has been owned by the United States Department of the Army since its construction in According to Neal Fulford, a maintenance worker at the base for over fifty years, the building was used as an office and breakroom for the workers at the adjacent Heat Plant for the Infantry Barracks (Building 4.

Builder, contractor, suppliers: The construction of the Pumphouse (Building was overseen by the Office of Constructing Quartermaster at Fort Benning, Georgia. The building was constructed of interlocking terracotta blocks. The blocks are likely Denison interlocking terracotta blocks which were manufactured in nearby Columbus (See Appendix B). 5. Original plans and construction: No original construction plans or later maintenance plans or drawings for the Pumphouse (Building are known to exist in the Post Engineer Office. No records of the original construction of the building are known to exist.

One set of drawings, pertaining to correction of OSHA deficiencies were produced for the Directorate of Facilities Engineering in These drawings depict the floorplan as it exists today (See Appendix A).4 6. Alterations and additions: The exterior of the Pumphouse (Building is largely intact, with the only significant alterations being the removal of the windows, replaced roofing materials, and the addition of the rounded metal awning that connects it to the Heat Plant for the Infantry Barracks (Building The interior of the building has undergone some minor alterations. The ceiling does not appear original. In addition, the ceiling has been altered with modern lighting and vents.

The wall between the main room and the office on the west side appears original as the door and doorway trim is identical to that of the main entrance. If this was an alteration it 3 Neal Fulford, phone call with Ed Howard (Fort Benning Post Historic Preservation Specialist), March 10, 4 Armour and Cape, Inc., Drawing FE-17279, (Produced for the Directorate of Facilities Engineering, Fort Benning, Georgia) June 30, Viewed at the Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 4) appears to be historic. Available drawings do not indicate any major alterations or work that was performed on the building.5 B.

Historical Context Fort Benning is located in Chattahoochee, Marion, and Muscogee Counties, Georgia and Russell County, Alabama. Prior to the establishment of Fort Benning, the area was occupied by a number of Native American Tribes for at least years. The Muscogee Creek Indians were the most recent tribe to occupy the area in and around Fort Benning. A portion of the land on which Fort Benning is now situated was owned by the Bussey family and operated as a plantation until it was sold to the United States Government in A farmhouse, home of the Bussey family, remains standing and has been used by the base for the entire succession of Post Commanders over the years.

Fort Benning, first known as Camp Benning, was established in as the new location for the reorganized Infantry School of Arms which had moved from Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Camp Benning was first established 8 miles to the north of the city of Columbus. It was moved to its present location in due to the more spacious terrain better suited to the camp s needs. It became a permanent post and was renamed Fort Benning in The Main Post area of Fort Benning, on which the Pumphouse (Building is located, was the first area established when Fort Benning was first occupied in The initial plans for the Main Post divided the base into use specific areas for civic, academic, administrative, residential, hospital, warehouse, and recreational uses.

This plan can be seen in the drawing by Brigadier General Briant H. Wells that depicts proposed buildings and areas. This plan was followed by George B. Ford s proposed plan in The present-day layout of the Main Post reflects these early plans. Much of the Main Post, including most of the Cuartels, was completed by The Cuartels are a group of three buildings with a C-shaped plan that form central courtyards. These buildings were constructed as improved housing for the soldiers. Previous housing largely consisted of wood barracks, houses, and tents.

The Cuartels were constructed over a 14-year period between and Several of the buildings on the Main Post, such as the Heat Plant for the Infantry Barracks (Building and the Pumphouse (Building were constructed around the Cuartels as support buildings. Other buildings constructed on the Main Post in the and include the Infantry Post Exchange building, the 5 Ibid. 6 John Brent, et. al., Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan; United States Army, Fort Benning Historic Trail, Webpage, accessed February 18, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 5) Bakers and Cooks School, the Main Post Theater, the Detention Barracks complex, the railroad depot, and Fire Station No.

1.7 The Pumphouse (Building was constructed as an ancillary building to the Heat Plant for the Infantry Barracks (Building The Infantry Barracks makes up the Cuartel furthest to the east (Appendix C, Figure 1). The Heat Plant was constructed in to supply hot water to this Cuartel and later all domestic buildings on the Main Post (Appendix C, Figures 1 and 2). The name pumphouse implies that it was used to pump water to the Heat Plant; however, there is no indication that any pumps or similar mechanical equipment was housed in the building. Neal Fulford, a maintenance worker at the base for over fifty years recounts that the building was used as an office and breakroom for workers who operated the Heat Plant.

Fulford s account is supported by the interior plan of the building.8 The larger room into which the entry leads was likely the breakroom for workers. The room on the west side of the building was likely an office. The wall between the breakroom and the office is symmetrical with window openings on either side of the central entrance. One of the window openings has dividers which were likely used for files or mail. The openings on this wall indicate that the office may have been for a receptionist or supervisor who needed to have regular interaction with the workers in the breakroom. The history and evolution of the building is not well documented in photos as it was often in the shadows of the Heat Plant (Appendix C, Figure 1).

The building is first depicted on a map in (Appendix C, Figure The subsequent uses for the building were not well recorded, however, the property file on the building indicates that the building was used for engineering and maintenance and more specifically heating and cooling.10 In the building was still listed as having an engineering and maintenance use.11 As of the date of this recordation, the building is vacant and houses no heating, cooling, or maintenance equipment. Part II. Architectural Information A. General Statement 1. Architectural Character: The Pumphouse (Building is a contributing resource to the National Register-eligible Fort Benning Main Post Historic District.

The building 7 Jaeger Company and Southern Research, Fort Benning Historic Resource Survey Update; United States Army, Fort Benning Historic Trail. 8 Neal Fulford, phone call with Ed Howard (Fort Benning Post Historic Preservation Specialist), March 10, 9 United States Army, Main Post Area, Fort Benning, Georgia, Revised June Based on building and street map prepared by the area and post engineers, revisions by the Operations Office, TIS, Viewed at the Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office.

10 Department of Public Works, Building Inspection Sheet for Real Property Inventory, Department of Public Works, Fort Benning, May 21, 11 Department of Public Works, Physical Inventory (Minimum Data) Worksheet, Department of Public Works, Fort Benning, November 19, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 6) was constructed as a support building to the Heat Plant for the Infantry Barracks (Building It was constructed in a similar style to other buildings built on the Main Post in the and with a load-bearing terracotta tile structure. The Pumphouse (Building can be best described as a vernacular building, as it exhibits no particular academic style.

One of the most prominent architectural details of the building is the scored interlocking terracotta tile which was likely sourced from the nearby Denison Interlocking Tile Corporation manufacturing facility in Columbus, Georgia. In addition, the window and door openings, windows sills, and corners of the buildings are constructed of brick pavers. The Post Historic Preservation Specialist for Fort Benning stated that these were likely taken from a nearby brick-paved road which was removed around the time of the building s construction. The building also features exposed rafter tails in the eaves (Appendix D, Figure 1). 2. Condition of Fabric: The building is in fair condition overall but has suffered from some neglect in recent years.

There are some punctures in the interlocking tile, rot in the exposed rafter tails, and rot and water damage to doors. In addition, the interior appears to have suffered some recent water damage, likely due to the removal of the windows (Appendix D, Figure 2). B. Description of Exterior 1. Overall Dimensions: The Pumphouse (Building has a rectangular exterior plan. It is 28 -0 x 14 -0 . 2. Foundations: The building rests on a poured concrete foundation. The interlocking terracotta tile appears to be set into the poured concrete foundation. A portion of the poured concrete foundation extends from the east wall where a portion of the wall is not painted. This indicates an addition or other small structure may have attached to the building on the east wall. 3.

Walls: The exterior walls of the Pumphouse (Building are constructed of load bearing, interlocking terracotta tile. This tile is likely Denison interlocking tile which was manufactured in nearby Columbus, Georgia in the first half of the twentieth century (Appendix B). The tiles alternate between 6 and 3 faces. The corners of the building, doorway and windows are framed by bricks. The bricks appear to be paver bricks with their ends forming a point. The Post Historic Preservation Specialist stated that these bricks were likely taken from a nearby brick-paved road noted on a map. An example of the paver bricks can be seen in Appendix D, Figure 3. The entire exterior is painted in a cream or light beige color with the exception of the lower half of the east fa ade which is not painted.

A previous addition may have attached to the east fa ade at this point. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 7) 4. Structural System: The Pumphouse (Building has a poured concrete foundation. The walls are constructed of interlocking terracotta tile which was likely sourced from the Denison Interlocking Tile Corporation manufacturing facility in nearby Columbus, Georgia. Denison interlocking tile, as featured in the edition of Sweet s Architectural Catalogue, was suitable for constructing both load bearing and partition walls. The tiles have a T-shape which allows the tiles to interlock and gives an explanation for the alternating 3 and 6 faces on the walls (Appendix D, Figure 3). The entry from the catalogue is attached in Appendix B.

The building has a gabled roof formed by 2 x 6 rafters which are spaced approximately 24 apart (Appendix D, Figure 1). Ceiling joists are not visible. 5. Porches: There are currently no porches on the Pumphouse (Building 6. Chimneys: The Pumphouse (Building has no chimneys. 7. Openings a. Doorways and Doors: The Pumphouse (Building has one entrance. It is located on the south side (front) of the building, facing the Heat Plant for the Infantry Barracks (Building The entrance consists of a wood door with three horizontal panels and a four-light window. The door appears to be original to the building. The door is framed by brick with paver bricks which are bonded to the interlocking terracotta tile.

The Post Historic Preservation Specialist at Fort Benning stated that it is likely these bricks were taken from a nearby brick-paved road (Appendix D, Figure 3). b. Windows and Shutters: All windows on the Pumphouse (Building have been removed, however, the rough window openings are extant. There are two window openings on the north, east, and west facades. The south fa ade has no window openings. The window openings are approximately 36 tall x 36 wide. They are framed by paver bricks with paver brick sills (Appendix D, Figure 3). The Post Historic Preservation Specialist at Fort Benning stated that it is likely these bricks were taken from a nearby brick-paved road. Photos from indicate that the removed windows were wood, single sash, six- pane windows.

It cannot be determined how the windows opened. 8. Roof a. Shape and Covering: The Pumphouse (Building has a side-gable roof. The roof is clad in composition asphalt shingles. There are no chimneys in the roof. The eaves feature exposed rafter tails, the rafters being 2 x 6 boards which are spaced approximately 24 apart (Appendix D, Figure 1). FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 8) b. Cornice: The Pumphouse (Building has exposed rafter tails which are spaced approximately 24 apart (Appendix D, Figure 1). c. Dormers: The Pumphouse (Building has no dormers. C. Description of Interior 1. Floor Plans: The Pumphouse (Building has an overall rectangular plan and is divided into two rooms.

The larger room (breakroom) extends west from the east and is approximately 23 long x 14 wide. The second room (office) is at the west end of the building and is approximately 5 long x 14 wide. The rooms are separated by a wood framed wall sheathed in plywood. The office is accessed by a wood panel door with a four-light, rectangular window, identical to the door on the main entrance. The wall that separates the two rooms is punctured by a square opening framed with wood, which features dividers which were likely used for files or mail (Appendix D, Figure 2). It appears that this the dividing wall is original to the building or at least a historic alteration. 2. Stairways: The Pumphouse (Building contains no stairs. 3.

Flooring: The floor of the Pumphouse (Building is poured concrete with no floor covering. 4. Wall and Ceiling: The walls on the interior are painted, scored, terracotta interlocking tiles with the same alternating 3 and 6 courses as the exterior. There is one wood framed wall which separates the office on the west side from the main room (breakroom). The wall is sheathed in plywood and has one doorway with a wood panel door and two square openings, one of which has dividers for files or mail (Appendix D, Figure 2). The ceiling joists are not visible from the interior. The ceiling material consists primarily of painted plywood with approximately 1 wood strips between each individual sheet of plywood. 5.

Openings: There is only one interior door and doorway which accesses the smaller room on the west end of the building. The door is identical to the exterior door with three horizontal wood panels and a four-light window. Both the exterior and interior door are framed with plain 1 x 4 wood trim. The dividing wall between the breakroom and the office has two square openings, one of which has dividers at the top which were likely used for files or mail. The windows are not framed and have no interior trim. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 9) 6. Decorative Features and Trim: The Pumphouse (Building has very little interior decoration. The only decorative features are the alternating courses of 3 and 6 tiles and scoring on those tiles.

Those features are due to the function of the tiles and was not intentional. The doors are both framed in plain 1 x 4 wood trim. 7. Hardware: The only original hardware in the building are the door hinges. 8. Mechanical Equipment: There are electrical outlets throughout the building, one of which hangs from the ceiling in the center of the main room. There is a breaker box on the far west wall and an electric heater on the east wall. Lighting includes two non-historic fluorescent lights mounted on the ceiling in the main room. D. Site 1. Historic Landscape Design: The Pumphouse (Building is part of a vernacular landscape which includes the Pumphouse (Building the Heat Plant for the Infantry Barracks (Building and a non-historic brick building located just east of the Heat Plant.

In addition to these three buildings there are two large HVAC units and a water pumping structure located to the north of the Pumphouse (Building The plot on which these buildings are located is surrounded by chain link fencing. This grouping of buildings is on the east side of Edwards Street and north side of Vibbert Avenue. Three historic warehouse buildings (Buildings 13, 14, and 15) are located to the north but are part of their own distinct landscape. The lawn is not part of an overall design. There are no decorative plantings on the site. Three to four hardwood trees are located along Vibbert Avenue to the south of the buildings.

There is a small concrete walkway covered by a metal awning, between the Heat Plant and the Pumphouse (Building Appendix E contains a site plan which was excerpted from a map of Fort Benning and edited to indicate the building location in the surrounding landscape. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 10) Part III. Sources of Information A. Architectural Drawings Armour and Cape, Inc. Drawing FE-17279. Produced for the Directorate of Facilities Engineering. Fort Benning, Georgia, June 30, Viewed at the Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. B. Early Views Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office Collection. Photo of Main Post. Obtained from the Fort Benning Cultural Resource Management Office Collection.

Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office Collection. Aerial Photograph. Obtained from the Fort Benning Cultural Resource Management Office Collection. C. Selected Sources Department of Public Works. Building Inspection Sheet for Real Property Inventory. Department of Public Works. Fort Benning, May 21, Department of Public Works. Physical Inventory (Minimum Data) Worksheet. Department of Public Works, Fort Benning, November 19, Jaeger Company and Southern Research. Fort Benning Historic Resource Survey Update. Prepared for the U.S Army Infantry Center Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Management Division, John Brent, et. al. Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan, Fort Benning, Georgia.

United States Army, Robinson Fisher Associates with Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. Historic Building Survey, Fort Benning U.S. Army Infantry Training Center, Georgia. Prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Sweets Catalogue Service, Inc. Denison Interlocking Tile Corporation. In Sweet s Architectural Catalogue, Fifteenth Annual Edition. New York: pages FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 11) D. Maps Department of Public Works Engineering Division. Main Post Fort Benning, Georgia. Department of Public Works Engineering Division. Fort Benning, Georgia. July United States Army. Main Post Area, Fort Benning, Georgia. Revised June Based on building and street map prepared by the area and post engineers.

Revisions by the Operations Office, TIS. Viewed at the Fort Benning Cultural Resources Office. E. Websites United States Army. Fort Benning Historic Trail. Accessed February 18, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 12) APPENDIX A: EXISTING DRAWINGS AND FLOOR PLANS FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 13) Armour and Cape, Inc., Drawing FE-17279, produced for the Directorate of Facilities Engineering in The Pumphouse (Building is shown in the bottom center inset. Source: Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No.

GA-2392-J (Page 14) Armour and Cape, Inc., Drawing FE-17279, produced for the Directorate of Facilities Engineering in Excerpted from the larger drawing and zoomed to show the Pumphouse (Building Source: Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 15) APPENDIX B: DENISON INTERLOCKING TILE CORPORATION ENTRY FROM SWEET S ARCHITECTURAL CATALOGUE FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 16) This catalogue was published prior to and can be accessed in the public domain at FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 17) This catalogue was published prior to and can be accessed in the public domain at FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No.

GA-2392-J (Page 18) APPENDIX C: HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS AND MAPS CITED IN TEXT FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 19) Figure 1. Zoomed aerial photo of Fort Benning Main Post, showing the Heat Plant for the Infantry Barracks (Building in the center with the Pumphouse (Building likely in the shadows on the right side of the Heat Plant (red arrow). The photo depicts the surroundings of the Pumphouse as primarily consisting of warehouses and utilitarian buildings. Source: Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 20) Figure 2. Photo from showing Main Post north of the Cuartels including the Heat Plant for the Infantry Barracks (Building at the top right.

Prior to construction of the Pumphouse (Building Future location of the Pumphouse (Building indicated by red arrow. Source: Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 21) Figure 3. Zoomed map showing the location of the Pumphouse (Building in red circle. Source: Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 22) APPENDIX D: CURRENT CONDITIONS PHOTOGRAPHS CITED IN TEXT FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 23) Figure 1. Pumphouse (Building oblique, looking southeast, showing overall form of building, interlocking terracotta tile exterior, roof, window openings, and exposed rafter tails. Photo by Bruce G.

Harvey, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 24) Figure 2. Pumphouse (Building interior, facing southeast, showing punctures in tile, interior wall and office, wood panel doors, and openings in interior wall. Photo by Bruce G. Harvey, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 25) Figure 3. Pumphouse (Building detail view of paver bricks along window frame and sill and example of scored interlocking terracotta tile, facing south. The same paver bricks are present on the corners and in the doorway of the main entrance. Photo by Bruce G. Harvey, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 26) APPENDIX E: SITE PLAN FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, PUMPHOUSE HABS No. GA-2392-J (Page 27) Site Plan of Pumphouse (Building and surrounding landscape.

Excerpted from map of Fort Benning. Source: Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office, Edited by Author.