Randolph Field Historic District, Historic district in Bexar County, Texas.
Randolph Field Historic District occupies the core of Randolph Air Force Base with roughly 350 structures in Spanish Colonial Revival and Mission Revival styles. These buildings cluster together and create a unified visual character across the entire site.
The district was founded in 1931 as the first permanent training facility for the United States Army Air Corps. It shaped aviation training standards that would influence military flight programs for generations.
The Base Administration Building, nicknamed the Taj Mahal, shows the design choices of early 20th century military architecture. Visitors notice how this distinctive structure stands as a symbol of the architectural traditions visible throughout the site.
The site sits about 18 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio and access can be limited due to the active military facility. Plan to spend several hours exploring the different buildings and open areas throughout the grounds.
The base follows a distinctive circular plan with residential areas positioned in the center and operational facilities plus runways arranged around the outer edge. This design approach was innovative for military airfield planning in the 1930s.
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