Camp Grant
Rockford, Winnebago Co., Illinois
Camp Grant was established in July 1917 to train the 86th “Black Hawk” Infantry Division (National Army). It was comprised of selective service inductees primarily from Illinois & Wisconsin; but also included inductees from several other states.
It was originally built with the capacity of just under 43,000 men. But by the summer of 1918, there were over 57,000, making Camp Grant the largest cantonment in the United States.
The 2808th Engineers & the African-American 92nd “Buffalo Soldier” Infantry Division also trained at Camp Grant. Following World War I, it was used as a training camp for the Illinois National Guard, and as a camp for the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933.
It was re-opened as an induction center and training camp, prisoner of war camp, and medical training unit during World War II.
Postcards – World War I
Postcards – World War II
Photos
Further Reading & Resources
World War I Photo Book of Camp Grant
The U. S. Army Center of Military History
I have 3 8×10 original photos of Officers. I believe it says 1918. One of the photos was labeled by the photographer “Officers of the 311th AM. TRS Camp Grant” it looks like a date under it but I can’t make it out it’s so small. Also has “Lt Col. W. J. Faulkner commanding”. If you could send an email address I will send picture of photos. wlhenson@yahoo.com thanks
My dad returned from World War 2 after his paratrooper training in the Marine Corps when I was about 10 months old and we lived at Camp Grant for several years when it was made available for families of veterans. I celebrated my second and third birthdays at Camp Grant and also attended kindergarten there when I was four years old. It was a very good kindergarten program. I learned to read and write the alphabet letters during that year. I would like to see more of that period in Camp Grant’s history.
Marilyn Arneson Moyle