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

The First Recruit / Original Historic Structures

The First Recruit Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010

1. The First Recruit Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The First Recruit17-year old Joseph Gregg of Terre Haute, Indiana arrived at Great Lakes Naval Center on July 1, 1911, the day of the first commissioning of the Station. Later that year on October 8, President William Howard Taft officially dedicated Great Lakes. Joseph Gregg served in the Navy from 1911-1914. He is buried in the Great Lakes cemetery. The memory of the first recruit is maintained today with the presentation of the Joseph Gregg Award at the weekly recruit graduation.
Original Historic StructuresAround Ross field are many of the original, historic buildings. Building One and its 155 foot clock tower is the focal point of the base. As the Main Administration Building, the Regional Admiral, Base Commander, and their staffs work there. Its clock on all four sides gives visual time checks to all in sight and is used to regulate clocks throughout the base. Building 3, the largest of the original buildings, included classrooms, a library, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, bowling alleys, and an 1000-seat auditorium. Building 4, originally a drill hall, is now used a gymnasium complex.

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Building 5, originally the mess hall and galley, is now utilized as office space. Building 26 and 27, originally barracks buildings, now also provide office space.

Erected by Naval Station Great Lakes.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education • Military. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #27 William Howard Taft series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1834.

Location. 42° 18.749′ N, 87° 50.411′ W. Marker is in Great Lakes, Illinois, in Lake County. Marker is on Farragut Avenue near Sampson Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in the Historic District of Naval Station Great Lakes. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Great Lakes IL 60088, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. World War I / Between the Wars (here, next to this marker); Black and White (here, next to this marker); The Golden Thirteen (a few steps from this marker); Origins of the Base / Construction (a few steps from this marker); Building Five (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Architectural Design (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II

Original Historic Structures Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

2. Original Historic Structures Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Great Lakes Athletics (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Lakes.

Also see . . .
1. Great Lakes Naval Museum. Naval History and Heritage Command website entry (Submitted on November 14, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2. Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Encyclopedia of Chicago website entry (Submitted on November 14, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

3. U.S. Naval Cemetery, Great Lakes. Interment website entry (Submitted on November 14, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Joseph Gregg Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010

3. Joseph Gregg Photo on Marker

The First Graduation Class Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010

4. The First Graduation Class Photo on Marker

[Caption reads] First Graduation Class, 1911 - Joseph Gregg is seated along the bottom row, second from the left

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010

5. The First Graduation Class Photo on Marker

Detail showing Joseph Gregg

Photo on Historic Structures Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

6. Photo on Historic Structures Marker

[Caption of post card reads] 8334. Entrance to U. S. Naval Training Station; Waukegan, Ill.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

7. Photo on Historic Structures Marker

[Caption of post card reads] Instruction Building [#3], U. S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Ill.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

8. Photo on Historic Structures Marker

[Caption of post card reads] Mess Hall [Bldg #5], U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Ill.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

9. Photo on Historic Structures Marker

[Caption on post card reads] Administration Building [Bldg #1], U.S. Naval Training Station, North Chicago, Ill.

Aerial Photo on Historic Structures Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

10. Aerial Photo on Historic Structures Marker

[Caption on post card reads] Aerial view, U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Ill., 800 ft. elevation

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010

11. The First Recruit Marker

Building #4, Former Instruction Bldg (Center Wing) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

12. Building #4, Former Instruction Bldg (Center Wing)

Looking north across Ross Field

Building #5, Former Mess Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

13. Building #5, Former Mess Hall

Administration Building #1 image. Click for more information.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

14. Administration Building #1

Naval Station Great Lakes: Your Navy in the Midwest
U.S. Navy website entry
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,358 times since then and 144 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 14, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on November 15, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 14, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on November 15, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 11. submitted on November 14, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 12, 13, 14. submitted on November 15, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.