The Cook County Forest Preserve District purchased the 74.16 acres that were Wilson’s Deer Grove Park for $11,416 in 1917. These buildings became the nucleus of Camp Reinberg, which was named after the forest preserve board’s first president, Peter Reinberg.

That same year, 600 children of poor parents and their mothers were given a 10-day outing at Deer Grove. Within a few years, the district had constructed two large dormitories, a huge mess hall and kitchen, bath houses, toilets and several small buildings. The camp was used by Boy Scout troops and local schools for seven- to 10-day sessions and day trips.

In 1984, the Chicago Commons Association, which had been conducting a camp for disadvantaged youths, decided it could not afford to renew its lease.

The Cook County Forest Preserve District took over the operation to be used primarily for hiking and camping activities, with no food service provided and no swimming pool.

In 2015, Camp Reinberg was opened to the public as a rental camp site. It has four heated and air-conditioned cabins that can house 10 people; four smaller cabins available spring through fall; 13 tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings; five RV sites; and an organized group campsite for up to 25 people.

• This is the 122nd of 150 vignettes about Palatine history to be published in the Daily Herald, as part of the village’s sesquicentennial celebration.