Naval Station Great Lakes

Naval Station Great Lakes is a military facility, historic district and training center in North Chicago, Illinois. The grounds stretch along Lake Michigan and include several hundred buildings connected by an extensive road network.

The president approved construction of the station in the early 20th century, and the first buildings were completed within a few years. The facility has served continuously as a training center for the Navy ever since.

The National Museum of the American Sailor displays uniforms, personal items and photographs from enlisted sailors across different eras. Visitors can see recreated quarters and training spaces that show daily life for recruits from the past to the present.

The welcome center helps visitors with orientation and answers general questions about the station. Access to certain areas follows military security rules, so checking visit options beforehand is advisable.

The station remains the only place in the entire Navy where recruits complete basic training. Thousands of men and women pass through here each year for their first weeks of service before moving to other locations.

Location: North Chicago

Inception: July 1, 1911

Website: https://cnrma.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAVSTA-Great-Lakes

GPS coordinates: 42.31000,-87.85000

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:01