Camp Crane

Camp Crane was a military training facility in Allentown built on the grounds of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society fairgrounds, offering barracks, training areas, and medical facilities for ambulance driver preparation. The site used converted horse barns and temporary structures to house up to 7,500 men at its peak.

Between 1917 and 1919, the camp trained over 20,000 volunteers as ambulance drivers and medical personnel for service on the Western Front. It was established to meet the United States' urgent need for trained medical support during World War One.

The camp's weekly newspaper documented soldier activities and showed how the men formed connections with people in the town. Local residents could follow stories about training progress and daily camp life through these publications.

The site was built on the edge of town, making it easy to draw soldiers from the region while providing enough space for training activities. Visitors should understand this is a historical location where different structures may stand today.

Medical students chose this location to contribute to the war effort without entering direct combat, training as ambulance drivers and mechanics. This choice let many academic professionals put their medical skills to use in the field.