CHICAGO (WLS) — Monday is the U.S. Navy’s 250th birthday, and Chicago’s connection to the service runs deep.
From World War training to recruiting, the city has played a critical role in preparing sailors.
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In the middle of the country, far from any ocean or sea, the U.S. Navy found an unlikely home.
“Chicago’s love affair with the Navy started over 130 years ago,” said U.S. Navy Reserve Cmdr. Jeffrey Gray.
From the Spanish American War in 1898 to World Wars I and II, the Chicago area has long been a major player in protecting the country.
“The significance of the Navy lies in our ability to maintain open sea lanes… Unlike other branches that operate on land, in the Navy, we carry our base with us,” Gray explained. “We prefer to engage in battles away from home rather than defend our home territory.”
Just north of the city sits Naval Station Great Lakes. The base opened in 1911 as hub for training and innovation.
“Back in the day on the Great Lakes, numerous steamers were lying unused. It was then decided to repurpose these steamers by stripping them down and installing a landing platform,” Gray mentioned.
And just like that, two freshwater aircraft carriers, the USS Wolverine and USS Sable were born. The two carriers helped get 17,000 pilots trained.
It was the only place in the world where pilots practiced carrier landings without ever seeing the ocean.
Today, that tradition continues just north of the city at Naval Station Great Lakes, the Navy’s sole boot camp, which is where every new sailor commences their career.
Then, in 1916, Navy Pier opened.
“But it wasn’t called Navy Pier at that time; it was called Municipal Pier,” Gray said.
Navy Pier served as a massive training center, where more than ten thousand recruits learned everything from navigation to gunnery.
“The city decided they wanted to rename Municipal Pier, to what is now known as Navy Pier,” Gray said.
Over time, Navy Pier transitioned to become more entertainment and tourism-focused, transforming into the landmark we recognize today. However, it still serves as a testament to Chicago’s significant naval past.
