Santa Ana Army Air Base

Construction Began October 23, 1941.  Activated on February 31, 1942.  Deactivated on March 31, 1946.  Approximately 800 structures.

• 28 Convalescent Hospital Wards
• 18 School Buildings
• 4 Chapels
• 4 Theaters
• 1337 acre site
• 33 miles of water lines
• A reservoir.
• 31 miles of electric lines.
• 39 miles of paved roads.

Only base used for pre-flight training of pilots, navigators, and bombardiers.  Approximately 147,000 entered.  Large contributor to the growth of Orange County and Southern California.  Current use of the site consists of the following

• Orange Coast College
• Southern California College
• Costa Mesa High School
• Maude Davis School
• City of Costa Mesa Civic Center
• The Air National Guard
• The Orange County Fairgrounds
• TeWinkle Park

The Santa Ana Army Air Base was designated as an Orange County Local Historical Civil Engineering Landmark in 1996 and a bronze plaque was presented at the Orange County Fairgrounds that year.