As we recognize the U.S. Army’s impressive 250th birthday this June alongside Mead & Hunt’s 125th year, we’re reminded of the connection between engineering ingenuity and military readiness. It’s a partnership that was forged in the fields of Wisconsin during one of our nation’s most critical hours.
Answering the Call to Service (1941–1942)
When Pearl Harbor ushered America into World War II, the nation’s engineering firms answered the call to service on the home front. Among these was a team of engineers at Mead & Hunt who designed one of the most unique military training facilities in American history: Camp McCoy (known today as Fort McCoy).
In the summer of 1941, as tensions were rising in the Pacific, Mead & Hunt signed a contract with the U.S. Army. The mission? Design a military installation near Sparta, Wisconsin, that could house 30,000 soldiers across 55,000 acres, at a cost of $30 million—nearly $545 million in today’s dollars. Our firm rose to meet the immense challenge of this epic engineering project.
A team of 125 engineers from Mead & Hunt arrived at the site to conduct topographical surveys and design the infrastructure network. Working around the clock to meet the tight timeline, they planned everything from rail spurs connecting to the Northwestern Railroad to water supply systems, sewage treatment facilities, and electrical networks. These were essential arteries that would bring the camp to life.
What made Camp McCoy notable was its innovative layout. While most military installations of the era followed rigid, conventional layouts, our firm dared to think differently. Our strategic design featured three segments, each containing five to nine battalion blocks arranged in the shape of a triangle, allowing troop units to live and train efficiently under a single headquarters. This distinctive triangular layout, unique among all U.S. military installations, proved so iconic that it became the facility’s enduring symbol.
Continuing the Partnership
This year, as the U.S. Army celebrates its 250th anniversary and Mead & Hunt marks 125 years of serving clients, our partnership with America’s oldest military service continues strong. What began with Camp McCoy in 1941 has expanded into a nationwide commitment to supporting our nation’s defenders.
Now, Mead & Hunt serves the Army National Guard in more than two dozen states and works with nine Corps of Engineers districts throughout the country. This nationwide footprint reflects not only the Army’s expansion but also our growth as a firm, from the team of 125 engineers in the 1940s to a company that now employs 1,400 colleagues.
Among our team are veterans who bring a unique perspective shaped by their military service. Their firsthand understanding of the mission-critical role infrastructure plays in defense operations informs the way we approach each project. This insight, rooted in experience, has helped guide our work on military facilities for over 80 years, ensuring that our designs are not only technically sound but also aligned with the needs of those who serve.
As Mead & Hunt and the U.S. Army mark significant milestones, we’re reminded of a shared legacy rooted in innovation and service. What began in the Wisconsin fields in 1941 has grown into a lasting partnership—one that continues to evolve in support of our nation’s military.
The story of Camp McCoy is just one example of how ingenuity rises to meet the moment. Decades later, that same spirit continues to guide our work as we help shape the infrastructure that supports those who serve.
