By Natalie Pritz, LaPorte High School student
Munitions are processed at Kingsbury Ordnance Plant during World War II. Photo courtesy of LaPorte County Historical Society Museum
Just off U.S. 35 is an area once known as the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant. Some people drive past the entrance every day. Some people hunt, fish, or use the shooting range. But how many LaPorteans really know the rich history of the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant?
Natalie
In 1940, the United States War Department chose this area of the county to build munitions for use in World War II. Before the decision, this land was used for farming and was known as a town called Tracy. The government bought out the land and moved Tracy’s residents to a new area to then be named New Tracy.
Jim Heinold, owner of Heinold Industrial Property in Kingsbury Industrial Park, which sits on property once part of KOP, said this area was chosen as the ammunition production center for many reasons.
“It’s close to center of the heartland and away from the water of the coasts. The Japanese and the Germans had submarines to attack our shores, so here we were away from waters.”
Throughout World War II, munitions were produced at the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant. They were transported from the KOP by railroads to the East Coast, the West Coast and the Port of New Orleans to be shipped out to our troops.
After the war ended, the plant was shut down by the government, but in 1959 it was reopened for ammunition production for the Korean War. After the Korean War was over, the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant was officially shut down and sold off.
Today, part of the property is now known as the Kingsbury Industrial Park and part as the Kingsbury State Fish and Wildlife Area.
When driving or walking through the old KOP, it is nearly impossible to miss the fenced-off pieces of land with the “contaminated area” signs. Heinold stated these parts of the land were used as “burning fields and test areas.” In 1970, contractors were hired to clean up these contaminated areas. Even with millions of munitions produced, Heinold said it would be “very, very rare” to find an unexploded shell in the areas.
From the KOP’s beginning in the 1940s, building ammunition for World War II, to the property today, housing companies such as Waste Management of LaPorte, the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant property will be forever stitched into the fabric of LaPorte County’s history.
“This is a very history rich area and people need to be aware of it,” said Heinold.
Len Avarfon
Jun 17. 2009
There are areas out there that have lots of unexploded ordinance. My friend used to work for a company on the property there and he said every winter when the ground would start freezing they would hear explosions as the ammo is compressed.
Carrie Kennedy
Nov 02. 2009
It’s really nice to see the KOP remembered. Doing genealogy research, I found that my grandparents met while my grandfather was working at the KOP. I would love to know if there are any employment records maintained somewhere. Thank you for this article.
Tim
Dec 08. 2009
It’s unlikely the plant was reopened in 1959 for the Korean War, which ran from June 1950 to July 1953. Perhaps you meant 1950?
Kandace
Mar 30. 2010
Just thought I would let you know one tiny mistake you made. The Korean War was from June 1950 to July 1953. The plants were reopened in 1951 until 1953.
Lynn
Mar 31. 2010
My great-grandmother also worked in the munitions factories/bunkers. I would love to see current photos and to know if there were records maintained as well.
I would also love to know which parts are accessable for visiting and photographing. The KOP is part of my family history, and I do not want to lose it. Just finding information online has been hard enough. Thank you for any reply received.
Jeffrey Holtz
Apr 15. 2010
I would like to learn more about KOP, especially the re-opening during the Korean War. My father is found in the City Directory as an employee of KOP. One interesting story he told me was about Charlie Finley.
During breaks and lunchtime, many of the employees would play cards like Pinochle and Euchre. My father was no exception and he played cards mant times with Charlie. It was during this time that Charlie became ill and ended up in the hospital. He did not have health insurance and was fearful of financial future. He ultimately devised a plan where employers were responsible for health insurance of their employees. And the rest is history!
Ken
May 11. 2010
I used to use Casteel for our steel castings. More than once we heard explosions where a deer stepped on “something”. There are still areas (well marked) that are dangerous.
Chris Parks
Jun 09. 2010
but in 1959 it was reopened for ammunition production for the Korean War.
Wouldn’t that be 1950?
Good info, like the site.
Edwin Dykes
Jun 25. 2010
My father worked at the KOP as a steam pipe fitter until 1945. We lived in Kingsford Heights in a 3-bedroom, 2-bath government owned home. The address was 389 Chattfield Road. I think I recall the rent was $43.50 a month (or close to that). It was NEW and it was great. The war ended and we moved to Norman, OK where my father worked at the North Naval Base in the same capacity. In 1946 we moved to Lindsay, OK and he helped drill the discovery oil well in the Lindsay field. Lots of pleasant memories of Kingsford Heights, Indiana.
Susan
Aug 03. 2010
If anyone does find out if there are employee records stored somewhere I’d be VERY interested in looking up some of my relatives that worked there.
steve
Sep 10. 2010
I used to live in La Porte for 30 yrs. During that tme I used to work at KOP industrial park for New Plant Life,Ireco Chemical and Dankert Farms.I been all over that place even in contaminated areas.All that I ever found was thousands of 20mm shell casings hundreds of spent 20mm rounds in all kinds of deformation and a field of some kind of exploded detonators. They were half inch round quarter inch wall by 4 inches long and were opened on the end like a cartoon rifle barrel that had been plugged by bugs bunny.That place had a test fire pit everything was tested there my grandfather told me, he worked there during WWII. All the explosions everyone hears now and then is the fireworks company that is still there.They test alot I know New PlantLife is right by them.Ireco was way out back in the high explosive bunkers these are the biggest in KOP there are others for fuses and detonators much smaller, we made explosives there, they connected 3 together side to side they are almost 75 yds. apart.Ireco is no longer there. I used to haul the leftover ammonium nitrate from manufacturing to the local grain elevator for fertilizer in Kingsbury.It was quite a site when Fisher-Calo blew up. Chlorine storage amongst other bad stuff in 55 gal. drums and bigger stuff went up high into the air. Speaking of bad stuff grandpa said at shift changes and cleanup all dirt and some powder gets washed right out the door with water and they wiped equipment down with pure acetone.It is really clean there after 60 years.The military and the EPA have done cleanup there alot and part of it is used for national guard training.
Sandra Rossetti Mitchell
Dec 02. 2010
My father worked at the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant during WWII. We lived in LaPorte when I was a little kid. I would like to find out if there are records, photos, historical accounts, etc. connected with this plant. I would like to find out more about what my father did there.
Daniel R. Stice, LTC US Army (Retired)
Dec 13. 2010
I was assigned there as a Major in the Army Reserve and a Dept of Defense Civilian employee from 1977
through 1989. My position was with a USAR School. I was also the Kingsbury Reserve Training Area Facilities Manager. This was my favorite assignment during my 25 years of military service.
Susan
Jan 06. 2011
I lived in Kingsbury from 1954 to 1973 and remember never going near there because of the army reserve having guards posted at the entrance. We would pass by there on our way to go swimming at the pond.
mike strelesky
May 10. 2011
i have been exploring out ther a few time and there isnt much left in the buildings just grafiti and dust but is a very fun place to explore just dont get cought because we went at night oncw and then left and came back but there were sirens goin off then just stopped out of nowhere
Noël Claessens
May 27. 2011
My name is Noël Claessens, of The Netherlands, and I life in Maastricht. I have adopted the name of a soldier who died in WW II/ His name is Lacy Collinsworth. He died on july 25th 1943. It is possible that Lacy worked in this factory. Perhaps his parents worked her: Marshall and Myrtle Collinsworth.
If anybody knew Lacy or his parents, of relatives of there’s, please contact me! I want to have contact with persons who knew Lacy.
Thank yoy very much! Noël.
Noël Claessens
May 30. 2011
Hello, a little update. Marshall is actually Walter Collinsworth, and he died in 1931. Myrtle’s maiden name was Marshall. Walter and Myrtle had 9 children: Lacy, Edward, Haywood, Chester, Marvis, Wanata, Geneva and Dallas. Is is very much possible that Myrtle and her daugters worked in this plant. Does anybody knew one of the nine children of Myrtle Collinsworth? If you do, please contact me at: claessens32@gmail.com. thank you very much!
NoËl Claessens, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Bob Whittaker
Jul 08. 2011
Noel. Magoffin County Kentucky is publishing a series of volumes honoring veterans of the county. I have written an artical on the life of Lacy Collinsworth. I am not a descendant but I know a descendant of Lacy Collinsworth’s sister. If you email me at robert.whittaker@charter.net, I will send you the email address. Bob.
Victor Baird
Aug 07. 2011
When I was a the National Archives II in College Park, Maryland, this year, I saw some photos of the KOP on file. It appears the number of photos was very limited but there were some photos of people at work in the facilities. I was looking for photos of the rail network, but did not find any.
Donna Turtle Ochenryder
Aug 15. 2011
My mother worked at Kingsbury in 1942. We lived in Niles, Michigan on 2nd Street next to Niles Laundry. I was 9 years old and little sister JoAnn was 5 years old. Times were really different then…I “baby-sat” my little sister, a 9 year old caring for a 5 year old. It was frightening to hear grownups talking about how dangerous it was working at Kingsbury as, “It could blowup”! At 9 years old I was also responsible to fix the dinner meal. With dinner fixed Jo and I would sit on the curb in front of our apartment building waiting and waiting, watching every car coming down the street. I remember being on the verge of tears as time seemed to stand still and then what a relief when that familiar car pool vehicle came into sight. Don’t know what mom did, she just mentioned black powder?? I would appreciate hearing from anyone who might remember my mother and what her job was. With the name Turtle being so different perhaps it will help, e-mail me at djochenryder@aol.com.
John A.S.
Aug 18. 2011
My Grandfather worked at Kingsbury Ordnance Plant and he had said those UFO reports in the 50′s are real, I won’t go into the rest of the story you wouldn’t believe it.
Mary Muncy
Aug 23. 2011
My father worked and was killed at Kingsbury Ordnance Plant on August 31,1943. His name was Noah Carpenter. If anyone has any information how I can find the details I would appreciate it. I have no information at all. We lived in Culver,In at the time. Thank You,Pepper33614@blomand.net
Noël Claessens
Sep 03. 2011
Dear Bob,
I apologize for this late response. I have been sick for a while. Please contact me! You can mail me at: claessens32@gmail.com. I am very interested in Lacy Collinsworth, and what you know! I ou are very honored to get in touch with you. Perhaps you can help me! Thank you very much thanks!
Noel Claessens,
Maastricht,
Netherlands
A.P.P
Sep 18. 2011
To John A.S. I am very interested in the stories can you please type them?
janice pearce
Oct 14. 2011
i would be very interested in finding out all the history around kingsbury and the stories from the people who worked there or their relatives u can email me with the stories or the history at bigmama471963@yahoo.com
Mike Kitchell
Oct 16. 2011
I was Born in Laporte in 1950. I remember when I was 2-5 yrs old hearing explosions as they would set off unused amunition and used gun power. Mom and Dad both worked there. They told alot of stories about workers scrapping the gun powder kettles and sometimes they would catch an explosion. I now live in Buchanan, have not seen Laporte in 35 yrs.
Susan Parry
Nov 01. 2011
This is the most interesting piece I’ve read about the KOP. My father, Budd Myers, worked for Kingsbury from 1942-1945. He wasn’t on the line, however, but was sent on road trips to Arkansas and Missouri to recruit workers (female) for the plant. He helped these women (and probably some men) with travel arrangmenets on the right train to take them to northern Indiana. He recalled one woman who forgot her ironing board at home and wanted to go back and get it. Dad went to a nearby hardware store and bought her an ironing board. I was a young girl during the war, but I recall he was often away for three weeks at a time on these trips.
Kay Vandergrift
Nov 06. 2011
Both of my parents worked at KOP and it is there that they met during WWII before Dad was drafted. I was told that Dad worked at the Fire Department and Mom and my Grandmother worked on the line. My Great Aunt was secretary for the doctor there. Mom always said that she and Dad met over a vat of TNT. Later they lived in Kingsford Heights. Are there employment records available to verify these family stories? Does anyone recognize the names Jacobsen, Covert or Seglem?
Noël Claessens
Dec 04. 2011
Dear Bob Whittaker,
Could you please contact me? My email is:
claessens32@gmail.com or n.claessens @ kpnplanet.nl.
Should anyone have information and / or a photo of Lacy Collinsworth, please contact me. Should anyone have the email address of Bob Whittaker, leave a message. You would really help me in my search for a picture of Lacy Collinsworth. I appreciate every help and information on price! Thank you!
Sincerely,
Noel Claessens,
The Netherlands.
Perry Wahlin
Dec 13. 2011
My mother, Eleanor Wahlin, worked at the KOP in the early 40′s. I was 8 or 9 years old and we lived in Walkerton, in what I can best describe as temporary duplex houses. The railroad tracks were just behind our house and I can vividly remember the flat cars loaded with tanks rolling by. I also remember us kids going around with our wagons collecting papers and scrap metal for the war effort. Another thing we did was collect the pods from milkweed plants. I guess they were used in life jackets. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who lived in that housing project during that period of time.
Kim
Jan 04. 2012
I came across a production schedule dated September 30, 1956. My grandmother has gone into a nursing home and I was going through some old papers she had saved. It mentions two people in the report: W.E. Pendergast and M.P. Roberts, with my grandma being the one whom prepared the report. It says it was the Loading and Small Arms plant. Kind of interesting, I didn’t realize that the KOP was such a big deal. She has so much history, I wish now I had found this before and had talked with her about it before her memory had started to go.
Kim from Michigan
Austi
Mar 06. 2012
Ive always known about the area but have been exploring the area alot latley. Some of the older buildings are accessable without no tresspassing signs. I would like to ask to anyone who knows, after the military moved out i heard that alot of chemical factories moved in. In the 70′s before the EPA monitored stuff there is word that lots of acid and chemicals where dumped into the ground. Is this true?
Loren
Apr 12. 2012
I was told my grandfather, Albert F. Reichmann, a Civil Engineer, was responsible for the steel work for the KOP. He was with American Bridge Company, Division of U.S.Steel Corp.
Arthur Brost
Jul 06. 2012
I lived in what was called the circle( the current two story white houses) from 1948 to 1954. It was a great place for us as children although a little restricted. I remember Mike King (the fire chief) would let us climb the hose drying tower at the main firehouse. There are so many memories of K.O.P. that I could go on for hours.
Sue
Oct 07. 2012
I have a very old “chest” from my dad from WWII. I just discovered that Kingsbury Ordnance is written on the bottom. I have kept it as it was special to him. Is it important memorabilia? Or just sentimental to me? Thanks.
Corey
Oct 13. 2012
Sue, I would certainly hold on to the chest. WWII was a very important time in American history. I have extensively explored KOP since about 1986 when there was a lot more to see than there is now. I’ve researched KOP at the LaPorte Historic Museum and found letters from workers at KOP. these letters touched my heart as working conditions were absolutley terrible. Frostbite resulting in loss of extremeties was common as well as accidental explosions that claimed many lives. I have collected some small artifacts from KOP and hold them dear to my heart to remember all of those who gave their lives during WWII. I would sugest that you either keep the chest or donate it to the LaPorte Historical Museum so other people can view it. I certainly would like to see it! Items like your chest are getting to be very rare and should be preserved.
Jim
Nov 11. 2012
My Mother and Uncle worked there during the War years. Are there any employment records to research for their names, etc?
Tyler
Jan 12. 2013
I was wondering if there are any bunkers and buildings that I can walk into I would love to see them and look T what it was like back when the plants were running. I was also wondering if it was true about the FEMA coffins at kingsbury
Jerri Simon
Jan 22. 2013
My 99 year old (still living) grandmother worked at that plant. We have a few photos of some of the crews at that time
Carolyn Morris
Feb 05. 2013
I am doing research for a book a am writing about the history of my family. Wicker is my Mother’s maiden name. The family migrated from Kentucky to Indiana to work at the plant in 1941. My Grandpa, Edgil Wicker helped to build the homes for the workers before he went into the plant to work. Like everyone else, I would like to know if there are any records of employees that could be located.I live in northeast Indiana now. I will check back for comments from any of you with information. Thank you
Liana Ross
Feb 18. 2013
I am doing a family tree for younger members of my family. My grandfather, Francis A. Ross, was the man in charge of the plant during WWII, or at least that is what the few letters I have from him indicate. Does anyone have any information/ work rosters to verify this?
Chuck Smith
Apr 20. 2013
I just found this interesting site. I worked at KOP from 2/1951 to 2/1956. Started as a mechanics helper, then a bus driver, then an Asst. Transportation Foreman. As Asst.Foreman, I worked topside (the “Y” area) and also at Bldg. S-4-2. My bosses were Jim Hopple and Bob Barker. I am still in touch with Barker who lives in Cheyenne,WY. Hopple died in the 1970′s or 80′s. Another KOP’er and I became friends and owned an airplane together. I’m still in touch with him also. He lives in Louisiana. KOP was a wonderful experience for me, and I have so many fond memories of it Inciidentally, I was born in Haskells ( LaPorte County),, but left there in 1930 only to return after I was discharged from the Navy.
David Rabbitt
Apr 21. 2013
I have many good memories of working inside the KOP. I worked as the Agent for the four railroads that served the facility. I was not restricted in where I could go within the 10,000 or so acres and took advantage of watching defective/obsolete ammo being “burned”. Ammo was buried several feet deep and then covered with heavy lumber “mats”. The concusion was felt by my wife in our apartment in LaPorte!! Also, it was fun to watch 20mm ammo being tested. Chuck Smith and I became fast friends during that time as we both had offices in S-4-2. Before moving from IN to LA I fequently flew over the KOP property and enjoyed the memories of good people to work with.
David Rabbitt
Apr 22. 2013
P.S. to the above comment. Actually, it must have been 3 railroads. The Nickel Plate Road, the Baltimore and Ohio and the Grand Trunk Western. I has been a long time ago and my memory can’t come up with a fourth railroad
Mark Vaughan
May 28. 2013
The Wabash was the fourth. It ran along the northern border in an east west direction. the end points for that line were Chicago on the west and Montpelier on the east. A question for you Mr. Rabbit; Did the Wabash and GTW interchange traffic within the KOP facility? The Wabash crossed the GTW west of KOP on a bridge above the GTW and it does not look as though the two rails had a direct connectiong at the crossing.
David Rabbitt
May 28. 2013
Mark–Thanks for reminding me which railroad I was missing!! No, there was no interchange of traffic within the confines of KOP. My home railroad was the NKP and the job I had was Joint Representative for the 4 serving railroads. Great job and I made a lot of friends there.
rebecca Allen Clemons
Jun 08. 2013
My mother Arline Fry, told me her aunt called her one morning when KOP was just opening. Auntie said,get ready fast Trudy and I (auntie’s best friend) are coming for you right now. Told my mom we are going to get one of those jobs!
Mom said she was put on the line making bullits. She said she almost lost her chance while training, but a kind suppervisor, a woman,told her she new she could learn. Mom was scared she wouldn’t make it , but finally she learned.
My mother had married very young, I’m not sure where she met her first husband or how long they were married. I think her parents were very opposed. I did find a pic of Mr.Fry many years latter and I always remembered the name. I think he was in uniform then. He stood like a soldier at ease with legs apart and hands behind his back.
I do know mom met my father Homer Allen at KOP. My mom was young tiny and very pretty. She sang and played the gitar and was offered work in Chicago on WLS raido. Mom told me she thought it would be bad for her to leave home alone,and stayed in Michigan City IN with her parents where she was born.
My father Homer Allen woked in some kind of supervisory position. My mother said he was forman over the line. Dad came from Knox IN. He had many brothers from a family of 17 children! I never heard any talk of what they did in the war. I do kow dad was exempt untill the end of the war when he was then shipped to France. He too had been married and was supporting four children.
On an odd side note: In 1976 my fiancee and I were driving on a side street in michigan city one afternoon in Aug. Our wedding date was set for mid September. We noticed a nice older RV marked for sale so we stopped and ended up buying it on the spot. The odd thihg was the owner was none other than my mother’s first husband. I knew who he was right away but I did not say anything about mom.
Reading this sight has been very interesting for me as my parents would not talk about their experiences. Maybe it was somewhat frighting for mom.
Dad died in 1972, mom remarried and her third husband died in 2010. He was 10 years younger than mom and served in the korean war. Mom is 90 now.
I too would love to see any records or pics from KOP during WII. I have always been interested in what my family’s life was like back then.