Sometimes the history of a DuPage forest preserve is simply forgotten, but other times it is purposely kept secret. In the 1940s, McDowell Grove Forest Preserve in Naperville played more than one clandestine role, sparking rumors that evolved into legends.
A portion of McDowell Grove Forest Preserve in Naperville — and later the entire preserve — was closed by the military so it could be used at first as a radar school and later as an OSS training facility before and during World War II.
Although these legends are a blend of myth and truth, we know McDowell Grove Forest Preserve contributed to America’s national defense in a decade dominated by World War II and the emergence of the United States as a superpower. A few hundred civilian students received draft deferments after passing a series of exams and programs. During the program, students were only told they would earn a special assignment under the Signal Corps. Once they arrived at Camp McDowell, students were provided housing and trained in how to maintain and operate radar so they could teach this to others in the field.
On May 12, 1943, Dr. George C. Claridge wrote the DuPage Forest Preserve District’s board of commissioners acknowledging “the government” has taken over the former CCC camp for the “present purpose of training on secret equipment.” The Forest Preserve District seemed unaware the OSS was stationed at McDowell; even some of the rangers and camp guards were unaware of its presence. Civilian employees at Camp McDowell’s “Area M” were told to inform others they worked for a radar school. Given its nature, the OSS targeted people with diverse backgrounds for service, including Nisei, Americans with Japanese immigrant parents, for their language skills.
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