The City of East Peoria hosted a plaque unveiling ceremony last month to commemorate Camp Herring, a World War I military training site that played a significant role in the war effort.

On October 23, 1917, seven officers from the United States Army, under the command of Captain Harry T. Herring, came to East Peoria unannounced to meet with Holt Manufacturing Vice President, Murray M. Baker. The purpose of the meeting was unknown to any but the highest powers in Washington DC, the officers themselves, and two officials of Holt Manufacturing. The result of that meeting was the establishment of the headquarters of the Ordinance Motor Section Instruction schools – including four other schools located throughout Wisconsin and Illinois, as well as two federal arsenals. At Camp Herring, Holt employees trained soldiers on how to use and maintain Holt tractors, which were used in the war effort. 

This plaque honors East Peoria’s contribution to World War I and preserves this important chapter of local and national history.