Camp Douglas

Camp Douglas was a military compound on Chicago's Lake Michigan shoreline that served as a prisoner-of-war facility during the Civil War. The facility consisted of wooden barracks, guard towers, and a tall perimeter fence surrounding approximately 80 acres of land.

The camp was established in 1861 and operated until 1865, becoming one of the largest Union prisoner-of-war facilities. During its existence, conditions deteriorated significantly, leading to widespread disease and high mortality rates among the prisoners held there.

Confederate prisoners were housed in large barracks, and their remains were later moved to Oak Woods Cemetery, where a memorial now stands in their honor. This location shows how the city remembers those who died in captivity.

The site is now developed with residential buildings, though archaeological projects continue uncovering artifacts and evidence from the Civil War period. Visitors can explore the neighborhood and locate memorials that mark significant locations within the former camp boundaries.

In November 1864, local activists plotted a mass escape attempt timed to coincide with the presidential election, an event known as the Chicago Conspiracy. This incident reveals the intense political divisions that existed within the city during the war years.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1861

GPS coordinates: 41.82750,-87.62100

Latest update: December 17, 2025 09:00