National Register Listing

Randolph Field Historic District

a.k.a. Base Administration Building

Randolph Air Force Base, off Pat Booker Rd., 18 NE of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
The Randolph Field Historic District encompasses buildings and structures constructed primarily between 1931 and 1950 at Randolph Air Force Base (AFB) in Bexar County, Texas. The base was constructed by the federal government with its buildings and plan designed by the Army's Quartermaster Corps and numerous San Antonio architects. The base continues to be owned by the federal government and occupied by the United States Air Force. The Randolph Field Historic District is nationally significant under Criteria A and C for its role in Army Air Corps and Air Force history and for its architectural design. The district is also significant under Criteria Consideration G for its significance in military history within the past fifty years. The district is of national significance for its architecture and role in America's defense. Randolph AFB is one of several major military facilities constructed in Texas during the 20th century and it had a major impact on the growth and development of the San Antonio region.

Randolph Field was created in 1928 to be the Army Air Corps' nationwide center for pilot and instructor training. Randolph Field was formally dedicated in 1930, and the following year hundreds of buildings were completed at the base. From 1931 to 1939, Randolph Field was the only training field in the country for pilots learning basic and primary flight instruction and it was termed the "West Point of the Air." Randolph Field was also the home for the Army Air Corps' School of Aviation Medicine. Following World War II, Randolph Field was renamed Randolph Air Force Base and it served as a center for crew training and other aviation missions. From 1931 to 1950, thousands of America's pilots received their training at the base and served in World War II and the Korean conflict.

The Randolph Field Historic District is significant for its innovative design and layout, which remains largely intact. During the late 1920s, the Army encouraged innovative designs for their military installations and a Board of Officers was appointed by Brig. Gen. Frank Lahm to design the training center which was to become Randolph Field. The design concept included a circular field with buildings in the center. This concept was placed into a practical plan by Lt. Harold Clark, trained in architectural design. The resulting "AH City" combined practicality and planning trends of the period's "Garden City" movement. The training, housing, and shop areas were concentrated into separate areas and bracketed between the two flight lines and rows of aircraft hangars. The design of Randolph Field was one of the most innovative of any military installation of its era, and no other Army Air Corps or Air Force airfield is known to have been constructed following a concentric plan.

The Randolph Field Historic District is also significant for its collection of Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture. In the 1920s, the Spanish Colonial Revival style was considered by the Army to be the most appropriate style for military architecture in the West and Southwest ("Housing the Army." Ouartermaster Review. Vol. X, No. 5, 1931). The Army's Quartermaster Corps produced a series of standardized plans in this style for dwellings, warehouses, and other military buildings. For the construction of Randolph Field, the designs of the Quartermaster Corps were supplemented through designs produced by 13 San Antonio architects. With the exception of the Art Moderne influenced aircraft hangars, all of the designs produced for Randolph Field were of the Spanish Colonial Revival style and the related styles of Spanish Renaissance Revival and Spanish Mediterranean. The Spanish Colonial Revival style theme was consistently used throughout the base for almost all buildings and structures constructed between 1931 and 1950. These buildings and structures have been well maintained and Randolph AFB contains one of the finest collections of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of any military facility in the country.

The Randolph Field Historic District is significant under Criterion Consideration G for its role in aviation training during World War II and the post-War era. The large influx of Army Air Corps pilots during World War II resulted in Randolph Field's designation as one of three nationwide training centers. Randolph Field was home to the Gulf Coast Training Center and during the War thousands of pilots received instruction at the base. After World War II, Randolph Field continued in its role of pilot training and additionally became a center for bomber crew instruction. Randolph Field was used for this dual role until the Korean War when individual pilot training was phased out.

Further information on the significance of the Randolph Field Historic District is located in the accompanying Multiple Property Documentation Form, "Historic and Architectural Resources of Randolph AFB, Bexar County, Texas."
Local significance of the district:
Military; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.
Texas random facts
Bexar County, Texas, holds a significant place in the history of the Lone Star State. Native American tribes thrived in the region for centuries before the arrival of European explorers. In 1718, the Spanish established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, known as the Alamo, which became a symbol of Texas' fight for independence. The area came under Mexican control after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.

During the Texas Revolution in 1836, the Battle of the Alamo took place, where a small group of Texan defenders valiantly fought against Mexican forces. Although the defenders ultimately lost, their bravery and sacrifice galvanized the Texan cause. Soon after, the Republic of Texas was established, and Bexar County was officially created in 1837, named after San Antonio de Béxar.

Bexar County played a vital role in the westward expansion of the United States. It became part of the United States when Texas joined as the 28th state in 1845. The county saw significant growth with the construction of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the influx of European immigrants. In 1968, HemisFair '68 brought international attention to the county, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and attracting visitors from around the world. Today, Bexar County is known for its vibrant tourism industry, robust military presence, renowned healthcare institutions, and prestigious educational establishments.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Bexar County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The region that would become Bexar County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Coahuiltecan and Lipan Apache.

  • 1718: The Spanish established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, known today as the Alamo, in what is now downtown San Antonio. This marked the beginning of Spanish colonization in the area.

  • 1821: Mexico gained independence from Spain, and the region came under Mexican control.

  • 1836: The Battle of the Alamo took place during the Texas Revolution, where a small group of Texan defenders fought against Mexican forces. Though the defenders were ultimately defeated, their resistance became a symbol of Texas independence.

  • 1837: The Republic of Texas officially established Bexar County, naming it after San Antonio de Béxar, the former Spanish name for the area.

  • 1845: Texas joined the United States as the 28th state.

  • 1861-1865: During the American Civil War, Bexar County remained part of the Confederacy.

  • Late 19th-early 20th century: The county saw growth and development with the expansion of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the arrival of European immigrants.

  • 1968: HemisFair '68, a world's fair, was held in San Antonio, bringing national and international attention to the city and the county.