Historical Marker

Foster Army Air Field

Historical marker location:
333 Bachelor Drive, Victoria, Texas
( Victoria Regional Airport, Officers Club building gardens)
Marker installed: 2008
Marker size: 27" x 42"

Prior to World War II, in an effort to match the powerful air armadas of the Axis nations, the U.S. Army Air Corps (later U.S. Army Air Forces) rapidly increased its number of training installations throughout the country. The city of Victoria secured an advanced single engine aerial gunnery training command here, with construction beginning on April 25, 1941. Initially named Victoria Field, the military renamed the site in honor of 1st Lt. Arthur L. Foster, an instructor at Brooks Field (San Antonio) killed when his plane crashed in 1925. The first class of cadets arrived in Sept. 1941 and subsequent classes arrived throughout the war. Cadets received both classroom flight instruction and gunnery training on site, with aerial gunnery practice at ranges on Matagorda Island and Matagorda Peninsula. In 1942, the military assigned a unit of the Women's Army Corps here. Cooperation between the U.S. and Allied nations brought foreign aviators here during the war for training, most notably the 201st Fighter Squadron, Mexican Expeditionary Air Force (The Aztec Eagles).

The end of World War II brought the closure of military sites across the nation. Foster Army Air Field (AFF) closed on October 31, 1945; however, the airfield's inactivation was short lived. In 1951, the Korean War created a need for additional jet training facilities and once again the people of Victoria rallied behind efforts to secure a military installation. As a result of local solicitation, the military reactivated Foster AFF on April 1, 1952, with the first class of jet aviation cadets arriving in March 1953. On July 1, 1954, Foster Air Force Base (AFB) became a permanent military installation and later became the tactical air command control center for the western U.S. In Dec. 1958 the military closed Foster AFB. Two years later the federal government turned the airfield over to Victoria County in exchange for nearby Aloe Field, which the governemnt sold to private investors. In 1976, Foster Field became Victoria Regional Airport. (2008)

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

World War II military topics
The cattle industry played a significant role in the development of Texas, with cowboys driving cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Texas random facts
Victoria County is located in southeastern Texas and was originally occupied by Native American tribes such as the Karankawa and the Tonkawa. However, the area was colonized by the Spanish in the 18th century and named in honor of the Queen of Spain, Victoria.

In the early 19th century, Anglo-American settlers began to move into the area, attracted by the fertile land for agriculture and the potential for ample grazing. The Mexican government encouraged colonization, and by 1834, there were around 100 families living in the region. However, tensions between the settlers and the Mexican government eventually led to the Texas Revolution in 1835.

During the Texas Revolution, Victoria became a strategic point for both the Texian and Mexican armies. The Battle of Guadalupe River occurred here in 1835, where the Texian rebels under the command of George Collingsworth captured the Mexican garrison without bloodshed. The town of Victoria formally became the capital of the Republic of Texas in 1839 before it was moved to Houston and later Austin.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Victoria County experienced significant growth and development. The railroad arrived in the late 1800s, leading to increased trade and the expansion of the local economy. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century further contributed to the county's prosperity. Today, Victoria County is a thriving hub for agriculture, oil and gas production, and serves as a regional center for healthcare, education, and businesses.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Victoria County, Texas.

  • 1824 - Victoria County is established as a Municipality of Mexico
  • 1836 - Texas gains independence from Mexico
  • 1837 - Victoria County is created as an original county of the Republic of Texas
  • 1852 - The town of Victoria becomes the county seat
  • 1860 - Population of Victoria County reaches 2,305
  • 1874 - The Texas Mexican Railway expands into Victoria County, stimulating economic growth
  • 1899 - Oil is discovered in the county, leading to a boom in the petroleum industry
  • 1924 - The DuPont Company establishes a plant in Victoria County, contributing to industrial development
  • 1930 - Population of Victoria County exceeds 30,000
  • 1952 - The O'Connor-Proctor Building, the first air-conditioned building in town, is constructed
  • 1960 - Victoria County Courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places
  • 2008 - Hurricane Ike causes extensive damage to Victoria County
  • 2019 - Victoria County celebrates its 182nd anniversary