elwood silhouette
Elwood Arsenal
Help from the Homefront
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 plants 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 (See Panel), only his wallet was found.
Help from the Homefront
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 plants 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 (See Panel), only his wallet was found.
