Kankakee Ordnance Works - 1942

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This original 12 page newspaper size is in the "scrap book" file.

Illinois World War II Legacy

During World War II, Illinois was the nation's leading producer of ammunition. Our major ordnance production facilities included Sangamon Ordnance Plant in Illiopolis, Illinois Ordnance Plant in Marion, the Elwood Ordnance Plant and Kankakee Ordnance Works near Joliet (later combined to become the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant) and the Green River Ordnance Plant between Dixon and Amboy. Munitions plants were located in the Midwest to keep them out of the reach of possible enemy attacks. The strong work ethic and loyalty of the midwestern worker also appealed to the War Department.

The Kankakee Ordnance Works, later dubbed the Joliet Arsenal. During World War II, the arsenal was the largest manufacturer of TNT in the world. It was reactivated for the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and then closed again in 1976.