Base Administration Building

The significance of Building 100, the "Taj Mahal," is based on its design, architecture, history, and inherent value to Air Force flyers worldwide. Rising above the Texas landscape, the building is the most prominent structure on Randolph Air Force Base. It towers 147 feet into the air and its blue and yellow glazed tile roof can be seen from miles away. Air Force personnel, past and present, view the building with the same heartfelt emotion and respect Texans have for the Alamo and the San Jacinto Monument- Its nickname has been traced as far back as 1931 when the first class of cadets came to Randolph.

The conceptual design of Building 100 was drafted by 1st Lieutenant Harold L. Clark on 1 May 1928 . Clark, at the time, was a dispatch officer at Kelly Field in San Antonio. He learned the Air Corps was planning to build a new consolidated training facility and having trained as an architect prior to his military service, he viewed the proposed training center as an architectural challenge. He began to sketch ideas, on the back of old dispatch sheets, for what he felt would be the perfect flying field. His idea was to build an "Air City," using a centralized building area with concentrically arranged streets surrounded by flying fields. He felt this would avoid problems present at such fields as Kelly Field where, because of the prevailing winds, all landings had to be made over the hangers. The commander of the Air Corps Training Center, Brigadier General Frank P. Lahm, liked Clark's design so much he appointed him Architect-in-Charge of the Randolph project.

Separate appropriations had been made for construction of a water tower, signal office, photographic unit, administration building and a theater. Clark's idea was to combine all the facilities into one structure. By combining these facilities into one administration building. Lieutenant Clark was able to design a larger building using less funds. Also, he added a powerful rotating beacon to the top of the tower, reducing the flying hazard presented by tall structures. His first drawing of the "Taj" included the observation deck but not the water tank. His second drawing, done the next day, included the tank and placed it behind the walls of the tower.

Lieutenant Clark also drafted designs for other buildings on Randolph, using a Spanish Renaissance style of architecture for his design theme. This type of architecture was popular throughout California, Florida, and South Texas in the 1920s and 1930s. That particular style was also predominant in the local area. The size and requirements for each building were established by the Air Corps Training Center commander and other Air Corps officials. Construction of the "Taj" and other buildings on Randolph was done under the direction of the Construction Quartermaster, Captain Arthur W. Parker.

Harold Clark retired from active duty in 1946 as a Brigadier General. Later, in 1951, he donated his original drawings and sketches of Building 100, and other early sketches of Randolph, to the Library of Congress.

The actual construction drawings of Building 100 were done by local architects Atlee B. Ayres and his son Robert. The Ayres' firm was one of the a dozen architectural firms that worked on the Randolph Field project. They altered Clark's original design of the "Taj" to better fit the Spanish Renaissance influence prevalent- throughout South Texas. They also redesigned the interior of the building, allowing for additional offices and more efficient use of space.

The name Atlee B. Ayres is prominent throughout Texas and the United States. Mr. Ayres is known in San Antonio, for having designed several buildings. Two of the buildings, the Municipal Auditorium and the Hiram Pkrtee Residence, have been placed on the National Registry. Ayres also designed the McNay Art Institute and the 35 story Transit Tower Office Building. Numerous other buildings in Texas were designed by Ayers and placed on the National Registry including; the Cameron County Courthouse in Brownsville, the Lloyd Johnson Residence in San Marcos, and the Louis Albert Schreiner Mansion in Kerrville. He and his son received an award in 1940 from the American Institute of Architects for their design of the "Taj." Photographs of the building were also part of an exhibit that toured the East Coast of the United States _ and much of Europe that same year.

In 1934, the first motion picture to address flying training, "West Point of the Air," was filmed at Randolph. This motion picture featured a flyby of 250 aircraft over the "Taj." Other movies filmed at Randolph include "I Wanted Wings," produced in 1941, and "Air Cadet," produced in 1951. These films portrayed the "Taj" as a rallying point for aviators rising to the defense of their flag and the principles it represents.

Lieutenant Clark designed Randolph precisely for its flying training mission, differing greatly from the design of other bases built in the same era. The overall plan was done so well, few changes have been necessary over the years. For many years Randolph was known as the "West Point of the Air." When the Air Force Academy was established Randolph became the "Show Place of the Air Force."

Building 100 has served as an administration building since its official opening on 5 October 1931. The building first served as the Headquarters Air Corps Training Center. Shortly after the Air Force became a separate service the "Taj" became the Headquarters building for the 3510th Flying Training Wing. The 3510th was de-activated in May 1972. At that time the 12th Flying Training Wing established its headquarters in the Building. The theater is still used as a base movie theater and a location for large meetings. Throughout the years, the building has remained relatively unaltered and it has been maintained in excellent condition. There are no other substructures co-located on the grounds of the building and no significant changes to the building are planned.