Built under the auspices of commander Neil West Kimball, grandson of the general for whom the camp was named, it was constructed as a project of the Works Progress Administration.

One of its primary uses in operation was to show films to the Guard troops.

However, the amphitheater fell into disuse when rattlesnakes became too plentiful for comfort.

The amphitheater later came into ownership by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.