Few people may have realized the importance of the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant (LAAP) when construction began in early 1941 on nearly 15,000 acres of land west of Minden consisting primarily of forests, fields, scattered residences and churches.

But, according to Dorcheat Historical Association Museum Executive Director and Webster Parish Historian, Jessica Gorman, the plant played a significant role in supplying munitions to the government from its completion in 1942 through the Vietnam War.

Gorman presented a U.S. Corps of Engineers film showing a history of the plant’s early construction days to Minden Lions Club members Thursday, including measures taken to remove houses, buildings and family cemeteries. Some buildings were sold at auction, others used as corporate headquarters.

“It was reported that 594 structures existed on the property,” she said. “There were nine known cemeteries located on the property. A total of 336 graves were recorded. These were repaired, fenced and “No Trespassing” signs were placed and were under government care.”

Gorman told Lions of evidence showing Confederate troops camped in the area, but any proof was most likely destroyed during construction. She also explained allegations of wasteful and negligent spending against the contractor, Silas Mason Company, during construction on the plant.

Construction of the plant proved to be an economic and employment boon for the area, Gorman said. Initially, 1,500 workers were hired in July, 1941. That number swelled to 3,967 by mid-August, then to 8,200 in September. By Thanksgiving, 9,715 workers were on site and that number increased to 10,386 by December, 1941, the month the U.S. entered World War II.

“It may seem coincidental that so much effort was going into the construction early in 1941, but it is fortunate that it was because the plant produced a large amount of munitions for the war effort,” she said in response to a question.

LAAP, formerly known as the Louisiana Ordinance Plant or simply, The Shell Plant, is now home on a portion of the property to Camp Minden, a training center for the Louisiana Army National Guard.

It is also the site of a Youth Challenge Program, an alternative educational program that offers adolescents an opportunity to change their futures.

Gorman has written books on the history of Webster Parish and has just released a new offering, “Minden, Louisiana Than & Now.”