From Will County Historical Society.
While researching for information on Camp Fry in Chicago, I came across Camp Goodell in Joliet. Being a place I've never heard of before, I did more research. Plus, Joliet is on Route 66 and i do research on places along the old road which had Civil War ties. And, there are more than you'd expect...no battles, of course, but plenty of GAR posts and cemeteries.
in May 1861, the fairgrounds west of Joliet were chosen to be training grounds for soldiers mustering in for Will and surrounding counties. Buildings were already in place which could be used for offices, a spring that provided drinking water and a magnificent grove of oak trees for shade were already there.
It became known as Camp Godell. This is the only time I saw it called Godell. Everywhere else it is referred to as Camp Goodell. I also came across it being named for a prominent citizen of the town, but couldn't come across anything else on the man.
--Old Secesh
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