Elwood in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Elwood Arsenal

Help from the Homefront

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

1. Elwood Arsenal Marker

Inscription. Threat of war in 1940 transformed the farming town of Elwood into a munitions manufacturing hub. The War Department acquired 40,000 acres and built two massive plants to assemble bombs and shells. The factories employed more than 20,000 people. Route 66 carried workers from nearby cities and provided a corridor for shipments.

Women at Work

During World War II, women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers. The phrase "Rosie the Riveter" debuted in a 1942 radio hit song. The fictional icon represented female factory workers.

Healing the Land

In 1993, the Army declared the arsenal surplus property. Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie were established. Midewin is a Potawatomi word for "healing."

Deadly Blast

An explosion rocked the Elwood plant in the early hours of June 5, 1942, rattling windows 100 miles away. It was the most deadly ordnance plant disaster of World War II, injuring 67 workers and killing 48, with the remains of 16 never found. For welder Emil Novak of Coal City (left in photo), only his wallet was found.

Erected by Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byways.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters

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• Roads & Vehicles • War, World II • Women. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list.

Location. 41° 24.234′ N, 88° 6.498′ W. Marker is in Elwood, Illinois, in Will County. Marker is at the intersection of East Mississippi Avenue and Douglas Street, on the right when traveling east on East Mississippi Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 224 E Mississippi Ave, Elwood IL 60421, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address (approx. 1.6 miles away); Abraham Lincoln Founding President (approx. 1.6 miles away); LGBT Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Baker/Koren Round Barn Farm (approx. 6.4 miles away); Joliet Mound (approx. 6.7 miles away); Wilmington, Illinois (approx. 7 miles away); McDonough Street Bridge (approx. 7.8 miles away); Natividad Guiterrez (approx. 8.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elwood.

More about this marker. This is the northernmost of nine Wayside Exhibit markers erected by Illinois Route 66 Scenic

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

2. Elwood Arsenal Marker

Wide view; with its supplemental interpretive statue and male worker statue

Byways that has an interpretive statue next to it.

Interpretive statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

3. Interpretive statue

Meant to depict "Rosie the Riveter"

Worker statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

4. Worker statue

This is next to the marker and interpretive statue.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 422 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 1, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.