Thornton in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Camp Thornton #2605 and the Civil Conservation Corps

Camp Motto: "String Along"

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, August 7, 2015

1. Camp Thornton #2605 and the Civil Conservation Corps Marker

Inscription. In the spring of 1934, Camp Thornton opened on this site as a home to young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). At first, the men slept in tents in grass and weeds three feet tall. Later they built their own military style barracks with mess halls, washrooms, toilets, showers, officer quarters, lounge, and parade grounds.

The CCC was formed by the federal government during the Great Depression to help unemployed men and their families. The men enlisted for six months at a time; 18 months was the maximum length of service. CCC workers received $31 per month, $25 of which was sent home to their families. Army and Naval Reserve Officers governed the Corps. Civilian men taught trades, including concrete construction, bricklaying, carpentry, machinery operation, and tree planting.

Beautiful flagstone picnic shelters, roadways, and bridges built by the CCC can still be seen throughout the Cook County Forest Preserves and other local, state, and national parks around the country.

Camp Thornton existed until 1942. From June 1945 through April 1946, the camp was used as a German P.O.W. camp. It was also home to Illiana Christian High School from September 1946 through December 1947. The South Suburban Council of Girl Scouts began using the facilities as a camp beginning in 1951. The last portions of the camp

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were demolished in 1989. Foundations can still be seen south of this marker.

Erected 2010 by The Village of Thornton Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 41° 33.377′ N, 87° 35.906′ W. Marker is in Thornton, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker can be reached from Cottage Grove Avenue, ¼ mile south of 183rd Street. The marker is located in Thornton in Sweet Woods Park which is on the west side of Cottage Grove Ave just south of its intersection with 183rd St. The marker is located along a walking path, just inside the entrance to the forest preserve. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Glenwood IL 60425, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Washington Park Racetrack (approx. 2.1 miles away); Dixie Highway connected Chicago to Miami in the early days of automobile travel (approx. 3½ miles away); Dixie Highway (approx. 3½ miles away); Chicago Heights (approx. 3.9 miles away); Site of Absolem Wells Cabin (approx.

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, August 7, 2015

2. Camp Thornton #2605 and the Civil Conservation Corps Marker

marker seen from small parking area

4 miles away); Sauk Village (approx. 5 miles away); Dedicated to Adam Brown (approx. 5.6 miles away); Origins of Calumet City and Abraham Lincoln Funeral Train (approx. 5.9 miles away).

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, August 7, 2015

3. Camp Thornton #2605 and the Civil Conservation Corps Marker

looking south of marker to where the former buildings used to be.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2015, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,977 times since then and 334 times this year. Last updated on April 20, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2015, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.