News Summary
San Antonio hosted a free educational event at the Alamo to celebrate World Camel Day. Attendees engaged with camels while learning about their historical role in the U.S. Army. The event highlighted the importance of camels in transportation during the 1850s, showcasing their contributions to military logistics. Families enjoyed interactive sessions that included petting camels and listening to their stories, fostering a greater understanding of this unique chapter in American history.
San Antonio Celebrates World Camel Day with Educational Event
On Saturday, June 22, the Texas Camel Corps hosted an engaging event at the Alamo to celebrate World Camel Day. This annual event allowed visitors to learn about the historic role of camels in the U.S. Army during the 1850s while interacting with these fascinating animals in the picturesque Alamo Gardens.
The event, which ran from 9 a.m. to noon, was free to the public and drew a lively crowd eager to learn and engage. Attendees were invited to take photographs with camels like Jadid, a 12-year-old camel, and Daleel, a 10-year-old camel. Families had the opportunity to pet the camels and listen to stories highlighting their unique history.
During the 1850s, the U.S. Army incorporated camels into its supply transportation efforts, utilizing them extensively from 1856 to 1861. Their remarkable ability to traverse extreme heat while consuming minimal water made camels a more practical choice for transportation compared to traditional horses and mules. Initially imported in 1856 via a Navy transport ship from Egypt, 33 camels were the first introduced for military use. Although kept temporarily at San Pedro Springs, they were eventually stationed at Camp Verde, located more than 60 miles away in the Texas Hill Country.
The camels played a significant role in carrying supplies, capable of transporting up to 600 pounds and thriving on a diet of almost any available plant life. Despite their benefits, they posed challenges for soldiers due to their sometimes unmanageable behavior and difficulty in control. The Army’s Camel Corps undertook various patrol and transport missions but was eventually disbanded following the Civil War. Many of the camels were sold at auction, and others escaped into the wild.
Doug Baum, the founder of the Texas Camel Corps, has organized this educational event at the Alamo for three consecutive years. This initiative aims to educate the public about the historical significance of camels and their contributions to American history. The Texas Camel Corps also conducts educational reenactments at schools, museums, and historical sites, furthering their mission to provide insight into this unusual chapter of military history.
The Texas Camel Corps event served not only as a fun outing for families but also as an opportunity to delve into a piece of history that is often overlooked. Events like this contribute to a greater understanding of the interplay between humans and animals, especially in historically significant contexts.
For those wishing to explore more about the camels’ fascinating past within the U.S. Army, the next opportunities may be found through the Texas Camel Corps’ various educational programs or at future gatherings held at iconic locations like the Alamo, situated at 300 Alamo Plaza in San Antonio.
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HERE Resources
Celebrating World Camel Day at the Alamo
Additional Resources
- FOX San Antonio
- Wikipedia: Camels in the United States
- San Antonio Express-News
- Google Search: Camels in U.S. Army history
- KSAT News
- Google Scholar: Camels in U.S. Army history
- El Paso Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: U.S. Army Camel Corps
- The Atlantic
- Google News: World Camel Day
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
