On October 8, 1940, the
Chief of Ordnance acknowledged a need for the construction of an additional
proving ground to carry out simultaneously and without interruption the many activities relative to proof work of the ordnance manufacturing program. In December 1940, the site acquisition committee decided on a tract of land in
Ripley,
Jefferson, and
Jennings counties in southern
Indiana. The site was selected for its proximity to a powder manufacturing plant at
Charlestown, Indiana, an ordinance plant at
LaPorte County, Indiana, and an ammunition storage depot in
Martin County, Indiana, as well as military installations at
Fort Benjamin Harrison in
Indianapolis,
Fort Hayes in
Ohio, and Forts
Thomas and
Knox in
Kentucky. Residents living within the area of planned site were given 30 to 120 days to vacate the land. Construction began immediately, and the first round was fired at U.S. Army JPG on May 10, 1941. In April 1953, JPG reached a pinnacle of employment and activity, with 1,774 employees and a production of 175,000 rounds fired monthly.
Collin's Ford Bridge,
Marble Creek Bridge,
Oakdale School, also known as Building 401, and
Old Timbers are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. ==Base closure and further use==