Lake County(66) ► ADJACENT TO LAKE COUNTY Cook County(757) ► McHenry County(38) ► Allegan County, Michigan(53) ► Berrien County, Michigan(80) ► Van Buren County, Michigan(76) ► Kenosha County, Wisconsin(39) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
Eleven original Officer’s Quarters stand along the bluff of Lake Michigan behind Building One. Six were designed for junior officers, four for senior officers and one for the Commandant. Original occupants included the junior Chaplain, junior . . . — — Map (db m38080) HM
On many occasions during its history, Great Lakes Naval Training Center has fought to remain an important training location for the Navy. The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision of 1993 finally seems to have put an end to that fight. This . . . — — Map (db m37879) HM
In the early months of World War II, the Navy Department designated Great Lakes as the only site for training African-American recruits. Since recruit training camps were named after naval heroes, it was thought fitting to do the same for the camp . . . — — Map (db m38002) HM
The Mess Hall and Galley were designed to serve one thousand two hundred eighty men, but during WWI, over five thousand sailors were fed at each meal. The ornamentation on the outside walls of the Mess Hall suggests the purpose of the building. Its . . . — — Map (db m38005) HM
The original Drill Hall, now a gymnasium, was designed with battered walls to give the massive building a military, fort-like appearance. Above the main entrance, the architects provided a large ornamentation of the bow of an ancient sailing ship, . . . — — Map (db m38182) HM
Building one, with offices for the base commander and staff, was originally known as the Administration Building. Designed as the focal point of the base, its 155-foot tower overlooks the parade field and was the tallest structure on the original . . . — — Map (db m38079) HM
During World War I, the Public Works Department at Great Lakes was tasked with the original construction of new facilities. Originally, Public Works was to use local civilian contractors. The problem, however, was that patriotic tradesmen joined . . . — — Map (db m37870) HM
Throughout WWI and WWII, athletic opportunities for recruits included swimming, basketball, hockey, water polo, boxing, wrestling and track and field. But, it was in football that Great Lakes achieved national prominence. Among the thousands of . . . — — Map (db m37922) HM
The Great Lakes History Trail has been established on base to teach about the past and promote a healthy future. As you walk the 2 mile trail, you will learn more about the fascinating history of our great base at the actual locations where it . . . — — Map (db m37876) HM
This replica of the 1910 bandstand
upon which LT John Philip Sousa, USN
directed the Naval Training Center Band
was built from original plans in observance
of the Naval Training Center's
75th Anniversary.
Dedicated by NTC Commander . . . — — Map (db m38007) HM
Unlike many military complexes where troops occupied the site before construction, the Great Lakes project was designed and built before training operations began. The architect, Jarvis Hunt of Chicago, varied the design of individual buildings . . . — — Map (db m38183) HM
(Left Side): Origins of the Base During the 1898 Spanish-American War, the Navy recognized that over half of the American sailors in that war had come from the Midwest. Congressman Foss of Illinois suggested that in the future, it might . . . — — Map (db m219216) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m37970) HM
In March, 1944, the first African-American naval officers in U.S. history were commissioned at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Twelve ensigns and one warrant officer made American military history, and went on to serve with distinction in World . . . — — Map (db m38003) HM
Throughout WWI and WWII, athletic opportunities for recruits included swimming, basketball, hockey, water polo, boxing, wrestling and track & field. But, it was in WWI football that Great Lakes achieved national prominence. Among the thousands of . . . — — Map (db m38077) HM
With the surrender of Japan and the close of hostilities in August, 1945, a call resounded across the nation to “bring our boys back home.” A demobilization center was established at Great Lakes to process the discharge of sailors. In . . . — — Map (db m37926) HM
Land donated, 1905,
by
The Commercial Club of Chicago,
Theodore Roosevelt, President,
Paul Morton, Secretary of the Navy,
F. A. Delano, President, Commercial Club, Chicago,
Graeme Stewart, Member, Commercial Club, Chicago.
Station . . . — — Map (db m38082) HM
Early aviation at Great Lakes included both pilot training and schools for enlisted Aviation Quartermasters, Machinists Mates, Aviation Armorers, and Ordnancemen. The first pilots were from among wealthy Illinois families who not only encouraged . . . — — Map (db m37873) HM
During the astonishing growth of the Navy during World War I, women were, for the first time, accepted into the Navy. These women enlisted into the yeoman rating and were designated with an (F) for female. They served with the aviation unit and . . . — — Map (db m37925) HM
World War IOn April 6, 1917, less than six years after Great Lakes was opened, the U.S. declared war on the Central Powers. By August, the number of trainees grew from 618 to 50,000. Vast tent cities sprang up to house the flood of volunteers. . . . — — Map (db m37996) HM
On the morning of December 7, 1941, only 6,814 sailors were in training at Great Lakes. Two hours after the attack began, Captain Spaulding, the Public Works Officer, authorized a large construction program. 13 prime contractors, 27 architectural . . . — — Map (db m37920) HM
