Ardmore Air Force Base - History

History

In 1940, Ardmore's Chamber of Commerce, like many US cities, was interested in securing a defense-oriented entity to boost the economy of the area as part of the United States's buildup of its military forces on the eve of World War II.

Citizens of Ardmore approved a $100,000 bond issue in early 1942 to purchase 1,416 acres of land north of Gene Autry, Oklahoma. The US Government contributed 650 acres that it owned in the area to complete the 2,066 acres used for the base. The acreage was leased for one dollar to the War Department for the duration of the war plus six months. The initial plans were that the base would serve as an Army Air Corps glider training facility. The Arbuckle Mountains located to the north and east of the base would have been ideal for creating updrafts and down drafts.

Construction began on the airfield which consisted of four runways 7200x150(N/S) - bituminous; 7282x150(NE/SW), 7200x150(E/W), 7200x150(NW/SE); concrete. In addition, the building of a large support base with more than 300 buildings, numerous streets, a utility network, was carried out with barracks, various administrative buildings, maintenance shops and hangars. The station facility consisted of a large number of buildings based on standardized plans and architectural drawings, with the buildings designed to be the "cheapest, temporary character with structural stability only sufficient to meet the needs of the service which the structure is intended to fulfill during the period of its contemplated war use" was underway. To conserve critical materials, most facilities were constructed of wood, concrete, brick, gypsum board and concrete asbestos. Metal was sparsely used. The station was designed to be nearly self-sufficient, with not only hangars, but barracks, warehouses, hospitals, dental clinics, dining halls, and maintenance shops were needed. There were libraries, social clubs for officers, and enlisted men, and stores to buy living necessities. Over 250 buildings, together with complete water, sewer, electric and gas utilities, the airfield served over 4,000 military personnel.