Port Clinton in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Railroad Importance to Camp Perry
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021
1. Railroad Importance to Camp Perry Marker
Side 1
The railroad has been vital to Camp Perry since it was established in 1906. Rail accessibility was a deciding factor in the site's selection when choosing locations for the Ohio National Guard rifle range. The area needed to be accessible from all parts of the state. Because many roads in the area were impassible, materials for camp construction initially had to be hauled in by boat. In 1907, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway extended a rail spur from LaCarne to the south end of Camp Perry. The spur eased delivery of materials and laborers for construction of the camp.
A baggage station was built in 1907 to service the several daily trains. Participants and spectators of the National Rifle matches traveled by rail to Camp Perry. Later, the railroad was important when Camp Perry served as an Army induction center during WWII. One thousand soldiers were processed every three days until the prisoner of war camp was established in 1943. Trains brought Italian and German POWs to Camp Perry from ports in New York. As of 2018, the Camp Perry spur was still occasionally used for train car storage.
Erected 2019 by The Adjutant General's Department of Ohio; The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 19-62.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this
this page online
Location. 41° 32.521′ N, 83° 1.186′ W. Marker is in Port Clinton, Ohio, in Ottawa County. Marker is at the intersection of Niagra and Davis, on the left when traveling north on Niagra. The marker stands at the Camp Perry Training Facility. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Clinton OH 43452, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. M551 Sheridan (within shouting distance of this marker); M1 Abrams (within shouting distance of this marker); AH-1F Modernized Cobra (within shouting distance of this marker); M4 Sherman (within shouting distance of this marker); AH-1 Iroquois Helicopter (Huey) (within shouting distance of this marker); Merci Train (within shouting distance of this marker); Gratitude Train (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ohio Forty and Eights Box Car (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Clinton.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021
2. Railroad Importance to Camp Perry Marker
Side 2
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021
3. Railroad Importance to Camp Perry Marker
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021
4. Camp Perry Shooting Range
Range mentioned on marker. It is the second largest outdoor range in the world.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 3, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
