Camp Logan National Guard: A Training Ground with a Twist

Camp Logan in Illinois, operating from 1892 until the early 1970s, served the National Guard. This volunteer force, always ready to lend a hand during emergencies or back up the U.S. Army in turbulent times, was mainly concerned with small weapon handling, tactical exercises, and assorted military duties. However, where it truly stood out was in rifle marksmanship. This Illinois National Guard, with roots tracing back to the Illinois Territorial Militia from the War of 1812, featured Camp Logan on 200 acres (0.81 km²).

Adorned with distinctive fame, this camp showcased a revolutionary rifle range, honed around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. With the echelon target system and Aiken targets completed, the range facilitated mass training sessions, establishing itself as one of the best in the state. It served as the location for annual shooting competitions and welcomed the Washburn Trophy, a traveling trophy competed for by units from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons