In 1918, the Chief of Field Artillery, General William J. Snow, seeking an area having suitable terrain, adequate water, rail facilities and a climate for year-round training, decided that the area now known as Fort Bragg met all of the desired criteria. Consequently, Camp Bragg came into existence on Sept. 4, 1918. Camp Bragg was named for a native North Carolinian, General Braxton Bragg.

Prior to its establishment as a military reservation, the area was a desolate region. Huge forests of long-leaf and loblolly pines covered the sandy area. About 1729 Highland Scots began cultivating the land in the Long Street area in what was to be the Main Post section of Camp Bragg. At the beginning of World War I only seven percent of the land was occupied and the population consisted of approximately 170 families. During the first year of its existence, $6,000,000 was spent in purchasing land and erecting cantonments for six artillery brigades. Although cessation of hostilities came in November 1918, work was rapidly pushed to a conclusion and Feb. 1, 1919, saw the completion of Camp Bragg.

As soon as World War I was over, the artillery personnel and materiel from Camp McClellan, Alabama were transferred to Camp Bragg in order accommodate testing the new long range weapons developed during the war.