JK Knives
Moderator
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2001
- Messages
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More info on the area.
POW Camp
CHANNAHON -- If it weren't for the cement remains of old foundations scattered throughout the tranquil wooded hills of Channahon's McKinley Woods Forest Preserve, one would never suspect the intriguing past this land has known. About 60 years ago, before the 473 acres of pristine wilderness became the peaceful hikers haven it is now, McKinley Woods was the site of a World War II German P.O.W. camp for captured Nazis.
CCC Camp
In Illinois, there were nearly 50 camps, including large camps which had between 180 to 200 enrollees each. The type of general tasks varied with the type of park (i.e. soil conservation service, state park, county forest preserve, drainage camp, or army base), but was likely similar work, but just adjusted based on the size of the camp. The 6 camps working along the I&M Canal were devoted to construction foot and vehicle bridges, horse bridges, shelters, buildings, benches, tables, along with water-control and landscaping. CCC constructions can still be seen in several state parks, including Starved Rock, Gebhard Woods, Illini and Channahon.
McKinley Woods
http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/McKinley-Woods
POW Camp
CHANNAHON -- If it weren't for the cement remains of old foundations scattered throughout the tranquil wooded hills of Channahon's McKinley Woods Forest Preserve, one would never suspect the intriguing past this land has known. About 60 years ago, before the 473 acres of pristine wilderness became the peaceful hikers haven it is now, McKinley Woods was the site of a World War II German P.O.W. camp for captured Nazis.
CCC Camp
In Illinois, there were nearly 50 camps, including large camps which had between 180 to 200 enrollees each. The type of general tasks varied with the type of park (i.e. soil conservation service, state park, county forest preserve, drainage camp, or army base), but was likely similar work, but just adjusted based on the size of the camp. The 6 camps working along the I&M Canal were devoted to construction foot and vehicle bridges, horse bridges, shelters, buildings, benches, tables, along with water-control and landscaping. CCC constructions can still be seen in several state parks, including Starved Rock, Gebhard Woods, Illini and Channahon.
McKinley Woods
http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/McKinley-Woods