NEED OF THE ARSENAL

The Civil war which broke out in 1861 emphasized the pressing need for a. great arsenal for supplying our troops with war equipment and munitions, and the selection of this site for such an institution was due to its exceptional location with respect to transportation both by water and rail, and to an ample supply of materials, labor and cheap power. The arsenal passed its fiftieth anniversary on July 11, 1911, and its life is properly divided into two periods, first that of construction, and second that of manufacturing.

The period of construction covers that time during which the great quadrangle of shops with their outlaying storehouses, quarters, barracks, hospital, boiler houses, power houses, etc. were built. This period extended from the establishment of the arsenal on to approximately the outbreak of the Spanish-American war in 1898. In the years preceding this time some manufacturing was done, but it was small in amount and the plant was of limited capacity. The manufacturing period really dates from the beginning of this war, when under the spur of necessity the plant was rapidly increased in capacity and the output was correspondingly multiplied.

Output was the crying need of the hour, and every effort possible was made to satisfy the demand. Though the plant was largely increased at that time, the arrangement was not entirely satisfactory, so at the close of the war a well considered plan for steady and orderly development and expansion was laid down, and has since been followed. At that time, now over fifteen years ago, only two of the great shops were utilized for manufacturing purposes. By the subsequent development seven of these shops are now filled with machinery and are in regular use.

 

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

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