History of Kearns, Utah

How did Kearns, UT become the town

that Gines Auto Service calls home?

CLICK HERE for history and more pictures of Camp Kearns.

During World War II, the U.S. Air Force wanted an isolated place to build a training base safe from any attacks by the Japanese and on the main rail routes to the Pacific Coast. The War Department bought about 5,000 acres (20 km²) of land where Kearns is currently located. Camp Kearns, as it came to be known, opened in 1942. Just one year later, Camp Kearns had 40,000 residents and was Utah's third largest city. It was partially a basic training facility for replacement troops headed for the war against Japan.

Most of the men who trained at Camp Kearns stayed only a few weeks and were glad to get away from it, as living conditions were horrible. Camp Kearns was closed as an active base in 1946, and the buildings and materials auctioned off in 1948. Some of the first homes in Kearns were built from materials left over from the buildings of the base. Camp Kearns gave an indirect boost to Taylorsville...CLICK HERE to keep reading

Taken from the Kearns Community Council Website.