Fort McCoy, Building No. T-2320, 120' North of State Highway No. 21, Sparta, Monroe County, WI

Significance: Building T-2320 is significant as a standing example of a large Theater of Operations (T.O.) building type designed as a general purpose shop, adapted to meet the unique functional needs at Fort McCoy. The T.O. Series of drawings was originally developed in the late 1930s and early 1940s in response to the war overseas by the New York City District of the Works Projects Administration, and the Fortifications Section of the Corps of Engineers. They were designed as lightweight building shells, without floors or utilities. The materials for these designs could then be shipped overseas, to be constructed as required, for use in the various theaters of operation. As a result of severe shortages of building materials, these drawings were modified for use in the United States in January 1942, and adopted in February. Additional significance may be attributable to this building based on a conversation at the time of the field inspection with the shop supervisor who suggested that this building was used as a material storage and staging area for contractors employed in the construction of the entire complex. This point is unsubstantiated at this time. The fact that the building did not have a heating plant initially may lend some credence to this supposition. However, the relatively late date of completion may belie this, unless the reported as-built date refers to the final acceptance of the building by the Post engineering officials, rather than the actual completion date.
Survey number: HABS WI-308-FT
Building/structure dates: 1942 Initial Construction