STATEHOUSE (Feb. 3, 2026) — The House passed State Rep. Chris May's (R-Bedford) concurrent resolution urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename a portion of State Highway 558 as the “Commodore Crane Highway,” recognizing the history and modern-day significance of Naval Support Activity Crane.
House Concurrent Resolution 10 applies to the stretch of State Highway 558 between U.S. Highway 231 and the Northwest Gate of Naval Support Activity Crane. The resolution recognizes the historical significance of Naval Support Activity Crane and honors Commodore William Montgomery Crane, the U.S. Navy’s first Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance.
“Renaming this portion of State Highway 558 as the Commodore Crane Highway is a fitting way to recognize the deep military history of the Crane installation and its contributions to our nation,” May said. “This honors Commodore Crane’s legacy while acknowledging the vital role of Naval Support Activity Crane.”
In 1941, Congress enacted the first National Defense Appropriation Act, authorizing funding for new ammunition production facilities to support national defense. That led to an inland ammunition production facility opening in Burns City, Ind., based on its remote location and access to critical infrastructure. In May 1943, the depot was renamed the Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane, in honor of Commodore Crane, whose leadership played a foundational role in the Navy’s ordnance development.
Following World War II, Crane evolved into a multi-mission defense installation for advanced engineering, electronics, logistics, ammunition and weapons systems critical to national security. Today, Naval Support Activity Crane is the third-largest naval installation in the world and is home to multiple major military commands, including the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division and the Crane Army Ammunition Activity, which are known collectively as Team Crane.
May said Crane provides global support to the United States Navy, Army and joint war-fighting missions, and represents one of Indiana's most significant strategic, economic and national security assets.
HCR 10 now moves to the Senate for further consideration. Once a renaming resolution passes through the General Assembly, INDOT can move forward with the project.
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State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) represents House District 65,
which includes all of Lawrence County, and portions of Jackson, Orange and Washington counties.
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