Spotter House

During World War II, civilian volunteers in the U.S. Army Ground Observers Corps, part of the Aircraft Warning System, used spotter houses to watch for aircraft. The system used dedicated office buildings, private homes, and purpose-built structures known as spotter houses. Volunteers received extensive training in aircraft recognition using models, books, publications, and flashcards. This sparsely furnished eight-foot by ten-foot shed was built in 1942 in about three weeks for less than $200 and stood on Hooper's Island, Maryland. Typically, two observers occupied it at one time, using a bunk beneath the cupola to take turns resting, and family members often rotated through skywatch duty. A single bulb lit the interior, and a small stove provided heat. When observers identified an aircraft, they completed an Aircraft Flash Message Form and telephoned the flash center on a hand-rung, wall-mounted phone. Each location had a code name, and this one was called Peter Jig 41.

Delaware · United States