Winters documents Jefferson Proving Ground history
By Courtney Hess '09
Driving down U.S. 421 between Madison and Versailles, travelers find more than 17 miles of the stretch of highway lined with a chain-linked fence. Behind this ominous-looking barrier lay stories of hardship, sacrifice and a community's source of pride.
A total of 48 miles of fencing enclose the more than 55,000 square acres of the Jefferson Proving Grounds (JPG), a facility that served as a key site for testing munitions for the U.S. Army for more than 50 years.
Elizabeth Winters, instructor of communication and general manager of the Campus Cable Channel (HCTV), began learning the JPG's rich history after attending various events at the site where her husband currently works as a fire specialist.
As a former documentary producer for Florida Public Television, Winters recognized the importance of telling the Proving Grounds' stories. However, the documentary almost didn't happen. Filmed six years ago, technical difficulties caused her to put off final production.
"It just got put on a shelf," she said. "But this past year, a lot the people that I had interviewed had become ill. I owe it to them and it's a good story."
The filming of the documentary also provided important opportunities for Hanover College students to gain hands-on experience in documentary production.
One of the students who worked on the project was Lori Hedges '06, who now owns her own local production company and works with HCTV. She believes that working with Winters on the project helped build valuable technical skills such as lighting and how to make subjects feel at ease on camera.
"Helping with this project was an overall good experience," she said. "It was more relaxed than during class, but I probably learned more because it was totally hands-on."
The documentary has aired on HCTV and WFYI Indianapolis has expressed interested in running it on their public television station.
Winter's film documents the Proving Ground and its unfortunate history. When the U.S. Army established the JPG in December of 1940, they gave the residents living in the area only 30 days to vacate. People who had been there for generations suddenly lost their livelihood. Farmers and businesses felt the sting of eviction notices and many residents abandoned schools and churches.
"Everything that had been important to these people (was) lost in one fell swoop in the dead of winter."
Despite the hardship that the JPG's creation placed upon the community, it quickly became a source of pride.
Recognized for their innovation and ingenuity in testing munitions, the JPG employees were renowned for the quality and reliability in their testing of the weapons throughout not only World War II, but the wars in Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf.
"It is really credited for saving people's lives," said Winters.
However, this was not without sacrifice. Two employees died on the job. The community also suffered the effects of life near a weapons testing facility.
"People in the community had to deal with constant noise," she said. "People's houses would shake. The sound was deafening."
The community also had to deal with the occasional stray weapon.
"Sometimes they did escape and land in people's yards."
In 1995, the Army closed the JPG and the facility's operations fell to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Now called the Big Oak National Wildlife Refuge, the enclosed area is home to several wildlife species, some of which are native to the area, and had disappeared decades ago when farmland cleared their habitats.
"There are beavers everywhere, otters, birds, the Indiana bat," Winters said. "It really is an environmental goldmine."
The refuge has also been a boon for the community, attracting hunters, birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts who then patron local hotels and restaurants.
Winters hopes her documentary will help to preserve the historical legacy of the Jefferson Proving Grounds.
"Its something that can be shared with younger generations about the important role we have played locally in our country's history."
