If you don't see the heading at the top, please go to http://www.adobe.com to get the Flash Browser plug-in.

Savanna Depot Museum

Jack Carson, president of the Rock Island Technical Society (RITS), invites people to visit the RITS museum and archives and learn about the Route of the Rockets and visit the Savanna Army Depot Museum. Both are in the Savanna Depot Park between Savanna and Hanover 1 mile west on Illinois 84, The Great River Road. (Photo courtesy of Lowell Carlson, Bellevue Herald-Leader)

Savanna Army Depot Museum Illinois

LRA Board member Don Crawford, back row, fifth from left, of Hanover, and other former Savanna Army Depot employees, were among the color guards from Bellevue, Iowa, and Hanover, that participated in a flag-raising ceremony in the Savanna Depot Park June 14. Joining him were LRA Executive Director Diane Komiskey, back row, and Depot museum curator Alice "Mike," Neuschwanger of Mt. Carroll. They stand around a diorama of the Depot, which is now a 3,000-acre business park and 10,000 fish and wildlife refuge.

LRA Welcomes 2 Museums to Depot

The Jo-Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority, LRA, on June 14 welcomed the Rock Island Technical Society, RITS, and the Savanna Army Depot Museum to the Savanna Depot Park during a dedication ceremony and grand opening. The Army Depot Museum is at the gateway to the Savanna Depot Park, 1 mile west of Illinois 84, "The Great River Road," between Hanover and Savanna in northwest Illinois.

The Depot Museum is located in the Welcome Center, which was formerly a chapel. It is the second venture for RITS at the Depot. Its first is next doorthe Rock Island Technical Society museum and archives. Summer hours at both museums are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday.

"The LRA encourages tourists, area residents and former Depot and Rock Island Road employees to visit and contribute to the museums. It is good to see their wishes being fulfilled," said LRA Executive Director Diane Komiskey. Soon after the base was selected in 1995 for closure, area residents said they wanted an Army Depot museum to be created. "While visiting, take time to envision your business at this beautiful site," she said.

The Depot served the nation 1918-2000, earning acclaim as the site where the bombs were made for Doolittle's surprise, carrier-launched raid of WWII, when more than 7,000 people worked at the Depot.

Protecting the place where the bombs were built was an important job, and it fell to the women who staffed the Depot Fire Department. Their efforts made headlines for the Depot, which also made the press in 1948 when "an igloo," exploded.

"Visit the Depot, learn the history of this unique 13,062-acre place and discover the history of the 'Route of the Rocket,'" Komiskey said.

From Illinois 84, visitors may bike or drive Army Depot Road to Crim Drive and take McIntyre Road through the Savanna Depot Park to River Road and the wildlife observation deck overlooking the Mississippi River on the Lost Mound Refuge. For their safety and out of respect for private property, visitors should stick to the designated route.

To learn more about the museums, call RITS President Jack Carson, 815-273-4013.

The 3,000-acre Savanna Depot Park is gradually being redeveloped and jobs are being created through the efforts of the LRA and businesses including Riverport Railroad, RESCAR, and Fluidic MicroControls.

To learn more about the property and its business incentives, visit www.lrasavannail.us or contact the LRA at (815) 273-4371, execdir@lrasavannail.us.

Comment on this story

Go back to Prairie Advocate Home Page