Anticipating the need for coastal facilities following the outbreak of WWII, the govt bought 165,000 acres of beach and dense woodland in the area around Carrabelle and Lanark. Camp Gordon Johnston was completed (as much as camps ever are) by 1942. On this coastline thousands of US troops were trained in amphibious warfare. The landings in Italy and Normandy were rehearsed right here. Lanark still has a few buildings that are the only remaining trace of Camp Gordon Johnston EXCEPT for the wonderful museum dedicated to these brave people.
The following are photos of soldiers rehearsing at Camp Gordon Johnston