On July 1st, in 1917 - Construction began on Camp Grant, 18,000 acres Named in honor of General Ulysses S. Grant/18th president (1917-1946) Primarily a location for training infantry, it became one of the largest military training facilities during World War I. During the World War II Camp Grant also served as a POW detention center, employing upwards of 6,000 civilians, boosting Rockfords economy. It is estimated there were 2,500 POWs in the camp. After the war Camp Grant also served as a separation center for returning GIs. For a few years after the war, the barracks buildings of Camp Grant were converted into makeshift apartments. These homes were utilized by returning GIs that had young families. Seth B. Atwood, who would later donate former Camp Grant rifle range to the Rockford Park District, who would name it the Seth Atwood Park. The Chicago Rockford International Airport occupies much of the land that used to be Camp Grant.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:14:14 +0000
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