Pictorial History of Camp Grant - 1917

World War One Illinois Cantonment Pictorial Photographs:

Grounds and Barracks | The Mess and Birds Eye Views | Life at the Firing Range | Sports and Exercise | Training and Camp Buildings | Other Landmarks | YMCA

Being a Pictorial History of the Miracle of the Illinois Cantonment

Front Cover, Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, Rockford, Illinois, 2017. GGA Image ID # 19f26016a2

On June 24, 1917, the work of building suitable quarters for housing, and providing drill grounds, rifle ranges, etc., for the training of this division of 43,000 men of the new National Army, was begun.

In a little more than three months after the erection of the first building, 180 barracks were ready for the reception of the first contingent of the selected men who are now being trained.

And in the short period of five months the corn fields, pastures, and orchards had been razed, and in their stead long rows of bare, unpainted structures had sprung up; macadamized roads built; sewers put in; heating, lighting and water systems installed; bridges built; and a remount station and rifle range constructed.

The post was christened Camp Grant in honor of General Ulysses S. Grant.

The total cost of the camp was $7,000,000. The largest number of men working at any one time was 8,500, but it is estimated at least 50,000 individuals worked on the big job.

The total area of the camp is 5640 acres, within which eighteen miles of water pipe were laid, through which the camp water plant forces 6,000,000 gallons of water per day. Three hundred and fifty miles of electric wire was strung and is in use.

The 1,520 buildings have an aggregate floor space of 2,200 acres, and if placed end to end would reach a distance of twenty-five miles. Forty-eight million feet of lumber, 680 tons of nails and 21,000 barrels of cement were used in constructing the buildings and their foundations. In all, 4,500 car- loads of material were hauled into camp by railroads.

Fifty-nine steam-heating plants furnish heat for the cantonment through a system of thirty-two miles of pipes. Each of the big power plants contains a battery of from two to ten 250-horsepower boilers.

In contrast to the heating system, an ice plant turns out 20,000 tons of ice a day to supply the cold-storage house and the refrigerators of the 180 barracks. From these barracks, fifteen tons of rubbish are carted away each day to the garbage incinerator to be burned. Most of the garbage from the camp is sold to nearby farmers for feeding to hogs.

The base hospital unit contains 61 buildings which were erected at the cost of $500,000. Thousands of dollars worth of equipment and supplies have been purchased for the hospital.

Camp Grant has a remount depot which has a capacity of 5,000 animals. At this station, animals for the army are assorted and assigned to the various army posts in the zone of the central department at Chicago. In connection with the remount depot is a school for blacksmiths. The remount depot buildings cover fifteen acres.

Fire protection for the military city is secured through an efficient fire department, housed in three fire stations. Two hundred and sixty-two fire hydrants are provided throughout the camp, and 18,000 pails and as many fire extinguishers are placed in the various buildings for emergency use.

Eighteen miles of macadam road and a pile bridge 1,000 feet in length with an eighteen-foot driveway, were built. Connecting with the camp system of roadways are two cement roads leading from Rockford to the cantonment.

Camp Grant - Grounds and Barracks

In a little more than three months after the erection of the first building, 180 barracks were ready for the reception of the first contingent of the selected men who are now being trained. Photographs of Camp Dodge before and after construction and photographs of Barrack Buildings and Sleeping Quarters.

The Camp Site, July 1, 1917. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 19f271ba8b

The same view July 25, 1917, with 37 completed buildings. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 19f28e0607

Flag Raising at Division Headquarters. (The Flag is raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset each day.) Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 19f2c2740b

Troops on review ground listening to address by Governor Lowden. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a144c60cf

Typical Barracks building. Each contains recreation and dining room, kitchen and sleeping quarters for 200 men. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a1451c480

A partial view of sleeping quarters in barracks building as shown on opposite page. These barracks are steam heated, electric lighted and have exceptional ventilating facilities. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a148a4d62

Camp Grant - The Mess and Birds Eye Views

Below are photographs of the mess hall, Army banking ovens, birds eye view of the camp, Base Hospital and Hospital Train and Remount Station and Blacksmith School.

A typical view of mess hall in barracks. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a1493d9b6

Army baking ovens, which supply the men with an abundance of fresh bread. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a14957a56

Bird's eye view taken from the axis of Camp Grant, showing quarters of infantry and artillery; the low buildings being quarters for the officers. (Click on image for larger view) . Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a14c49198

Base Hospital and Hospital Train, comprising 61 buildings equipped for every emergency. Engineering quarters in the distance. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a14ce1e94

Remount Station where 5000 horses and mules can be cared for, to provide mounts and draft animals for Camp Grant division. In connection with the Remount Station is a school for blacksmiths. These buildings cover 15 acres. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a150de9a2

View of rifle range. Shooting from 300 yard range. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a154c9c20

Camp Grant - Life at the Firing Range

Life at the Rifle range - A series of photographs from Camp Grant depicting life of an Army Training Soldier of the A.E.F.

Wagon train bringing up ammunition and supplies for rifle range. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a15900b59

Officers mess at rifle range which consists of same food given privates. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a15923f94

Army ovens and stoves on which meals are prepared while men are on the march. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a15f7e959

Close-up view of men at firing line. The officers have been surprised at the aptness of the selected army in target practice. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a162993ee

"Mess" line at rifle range. The outdoor life gives these men hearty appetites, and they are fed bountifully. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a16422297

"Mess" of enlisted men at rifle range. Note the happy look on faces of men in every picture. This outdoor life has an appeal to the American youth. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a16698190

Camp Grant - Sports and Exercise

Sports of various kinds are encouraged in Camp Grant, under the theory that "all work and no play makes Sammy a dull boy."

Indoor Ball - Baseball Game at Camp Grant. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a170a553f

Football Game. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a17515e88

Boxing Match in Progress. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a1797d797

Wrestling Match in Progress. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a17ae6760

These exercises are what harden the muscles of the men, giving them the qualities to endure privation; also, coupled with the outdoor life, gives the men an abnormal appetite, and Uncle Sam sees that they are well fed.

Calisthenics - Setting-up exercises in the Army Way. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a17cc05ea

Another view of setting-up exercises. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a17fafaf4

Camp Grant - Training and Camp Buildings

Scenes of troops training and important buildings around the Cantonment. Camp Grant's Visitors arrive in a steady stream of motor cars.

Drill in Signaling. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a184b67f9

Green recruits practicing mounting on wooden horses. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a1857098c

This is typical of the constant stream of visitors to Camp Grant. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a18afc910

One of the 59 varieties of steam heating plants which furnish the heat carried through 32 miles of pipe necessary to heat the 1520 buildings. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a18b7a6c6

Incinerating plant with a capacity of 30,000 pounds of garbage daily. No unnecessary waste is permitted and the waste is converted into soap greases and fertilizers. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a18d7a9f0

C. B. & Q. Train Depot at Camp Grant. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a18fdcfaf

Camp Grant - Other Landmarks

Assortment of scenes around Camp Grant includes the Water Plant, Knights of Columbus Building, Commanding Officer's Residence and the temporary bridge across Rock River

Water plant. An abundance of pure artesian water is furnished the enlisted officers and men. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a1968c9ef

One of the three buildings built by the Knights of Columbus, where those who desire may while away their idle hours at games or reading. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a1969945b

The residence of the commanding officer of the division in Camp Grant. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a1976da93

Temporary bridge across Rock River built by the U. S. Government for convenience of Camp Grant. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a1986e0b2

Camp Grant - YMCA

"The YMCA keeps the home ties from breaking."

Wherever American troops gather the Red Triangle of the YMCA goes to help safeguard the home ideals. Thousands of letters are written home from facilities furnished by them.

Educational classes and amusements are conducted in each of the six buildings. Aside from this is the main auditorium where the men gather from time to time to witness boxing bouts and listen to lecturers of note on various subjects.

Main Auditorium of the YMCA. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a19951aef

Typical YMCA "hut." There are six of these in Camp Grant. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a1999597b

A class in French. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a19b4be7c

A class in English. Camp Grant Pictorial Brochure, 1917. GGA Image ID # 1a19fb61ba

Information About Brochure

• Year Published: 1917
• Number of Pages: 16 (Unpaginated)
• Number of Photographs: 39
• Dimensions: 26.7 x 19 cm