Gregory S. Jacobs

Camp Grant (Il) (Images of America) Gregory S. Jacobs

"Good old Camp Grant, right close to home." Those words, true at the time they were written during World War II, applied to Camp Grant from the beginning. Tracks were laid in what was a farm field in northwest Illinois, and within the span of 90 days a small city was built. During its use as a post, thousands of soldiers were trained at what became Camp Grant. Local businesses showed loyal support for the troops and those working at the station hospital did their best for the returning wounded.

The story of Camp Grant cannot be told simply through the forming of the camp, the training that took place, or the camp's eventual demise. Each part is a story unto itself, retold through the memories and photographs from the World War I troops, Illinois National Guardsmen, World War II draftees, medical personnel, and German POWs that passed through. Those photographs are gathered together here, narrating and preserving the story of Camp Grant.