NPS Form 10-900-b (Rev. 01/2009) OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NPS Approved: September 25, 2012 National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form This form is used for documenting property groups relating to one or several historic contexts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin How to Complete the Multiple Property Documentation Form (formerly 16B). Complete each item by entering the requested information. For additional space, use continuation sheets (Form 10-900-a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer to complete all items xx New Submission Amended Submission A. Name of Multiple Property Listing World War II-Era Aviation-Related Facilities of Kansas B. Associated Historic Contexts (Name each associated historic context, identifying theme, geographical area, and chronological period for each.) I. The Development of World War II Air Bases in Kansas (1939-1945) C. Form Prepared by name/title Susan Jezak Ford, Owner organization Citysearch Preservation date street & number 3628 Holmes Street telephone 816-531-2489 city or town Kansas City state MO zip code 64109 e-mail D. Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this documentation form meets the National Register documentation standards and sets forth requirements for the listing of related properties consistent with the National Register criteria. This submission meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR 60 and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. (_________ See continuation sheet for additional comments.) SEE FILE Signature and title of certifying official Date State or Federal Agency or Tribal government I hereby certify that this multiple property documentation form has been approved by the National Register as a basis for evaluating related properties for listing in the National Register. Signature of the Keeper Date of Action NPS Form 10-900-b (Rev. 01/2009) OMB No. 1024-0018 World War II-Era Aviation-Related Facilities of Kansas Kansas Name of Multiple Property Listing State Table of Contents for Written Narrative Provide the following information on continuation sheets. Cite the letter and title before each section of the narrative. Assign page numbers according to the instructions for continuation sheets in National Register Bulletin How to Complete the Multiple Property Documentation Form (formerly 16B). Fill in page numbers for each section in the space below. Page Numbers E. Statement of Historic Contexts (if more than one historic context is documented, present them in sequential order.) I. The Development of World War II Air Bases in Kansas (1939-1945) E-1 F. Associated Property Types F-36 (Provide description, significance, and registration requirements.) Historic District F-39 Airfield F-41 Runway, Taxiway, Parking Apron Hangar Control Tower Tetrahedron Wind Indicator Cantonment F-48 Storage Building Parachute Building Fire Station Water Tower Administration Building Commissary Training & Education Building F-55 Recreation & Welfare Facility F-56 Hospital F-57 G. Geographical Data G-61 H. Summary of Identification and Evaluation Methods H-62 (Discuss the methods used in developing the multiple property listing.) I. Major Bibliographical References I-63 (List major written works and primary location of additional documentation: State Historic Preservation Office, other State agency, Federal agency, local government, university, or other, specifying repository.) Appendix – Figures and Images 68 Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.460 et seq.). Estimated Burden Statement : Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18 hours per response including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, PO Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Project (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. NPS Form 10-900-a (Rev. 8/2002) OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5-31-2012) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number E Page 1 World War II-Era Aviation-Related Facilities of Kansas THE DEVELOPMENT OF WORLD WAR II AIR BASES IN KANSAS (1939-1945) "Ten percent of aviation is in the air, and 90 percent is on the ground." Clement M. Keys, head of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. The state of Kansas and the history of World War II are intertwined, each very much affecting the other. During the Second World War, Kansas became home to 16 Army Airfields and two Naval Air Stations, in addition to auxiliary fields, bombing ranges and aircraft plants. The enormous air bases and activity associated with them impacted surrounding communities, bringing income, jobs and increases in population. The bases would also strain towns, often requiring housing and utilities beyond those available. These issues were usually solved through compromise, making the bases an integral part of the communities for a few years. The Kansas airfields were literally small cities on very large tracts of land, usually growing to house several thousand recruits and employing many local civilians, including female and African-American workers formerly consigned to agricultural work the service industry. 1 The typical base included dozens of buildings to house and train pilots and their crews, maintain aircraft, and guide the aircraft to the Pacific front. The airplanes and crews that came out of the Kansas air bases ultimately had a profound effect on the outcome of the war. The remaining sites are a physical link between Kansas and the role that the bases played during World War II. Definitions The following definitions are helpful in understanding the layout and workings of the Kansas airfields. In historic documents many of the terms have multiple spellings. AAF : Army Airfield Air base : An installation from which a military force initiates operations. Airfield/ Air field : An area of fields and runways where aircraft can take off and land. The terms “base” and “field” are often used interchangeably in historic documents. Auxiliary field or Outlying field : A landing field located a distance away from the main airfield or air base. B-29 Superfortress : A large four-engine bomber built to replace the B-17 Fortress . Also referred to as a Superbomber or Very Heavy Bomber. NAS : Naval Air Station. OLF : Outlying field associated with a Naval Air Station. Pre-World War II Aviation in Kansas Kansas was home to many inventors and entrepreneurs who tried their hands at building and financing aircraft as early as the late 1800s. Among the scores of plans that were concurrent with Wilbur and Orville Wright but never quite took off were the Gabbey Air-Ship Company of Rossville in 1898, William Purvis 1 Peter Fearon, “Ploughshares Into Airplanes: Manufacturing Industry and Workers in Kansas During World War II,” Kansas History 22 (Winter 1999/2000): 299. NPS Form 10-900-a (Rev. 8/2002) OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5-31-2012) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number E Page 2 World War II-Era Aviation-Related Facilities of Kansas and Charles Wilson’s 1909 helicopter in Goodland and even Frank Barnett ‟s propelled kite contraption displayed in the Kansas City Star in 1897. 2 The machines of these and other Kansas inventors were whimsical and odd-looking but represented the wave of the future as Americans contemplated air transportation. There are many claims attributing the first Kansas-built airplane to fly successfully. Nearly all of these early machines, most built around 1910, did not fly reliably. The ideas and enthusiasm of most early inventors came to nothing. There are two prominent exceptions in this scenario—Clyde Cessna of Rago and A.K. Longren of Topeka. Longren, an automobile dealer, successfully accomplished sustained, controlled flights in 1911. He went on to set up an airplane factory in Topeka. Cessna, a born tinkerer, also conducted his first public flight in 1911 in Oklahoma. 3 He soon moved his manufacturing operation off of his Kingman County farm to a site in northern Wichita. Both men tried mightily but failed to acquire government contracts during World War I. Kansas proved an ideal location for enthusiasts ready to try their hand with the new mode of transportation. Early landing strips were simply mowed fields on the flat plains. Following World War I, cities began constructing paved runways and municipal airports in earnest. Major air hubs were in place and expanding in Kansas City and Wichita by 1927. The rest of the state followed suit and a dependable network of airports was constructed, with paved landing strips in Topeka, Lawrence, Coffeyville and Garden City. 4 The Kansas airplane industry vigorously promoted itself. In April 1928, the Wichita Board of Trade and Chamber of Commerce sponsored the “All-Kansas Air Tour.” Governor Ben Pauleen rode in one of the tour’s 30 airplanes accompanied by 100 dignitaries on the longest airplane tour ever taken thus far by a Kansas governor. An estimated 500,000 Kansas residents viewed the event intended to promote new airport construction and procure grass-roots support for the National Aeronautics Association. The weeklong April tour visited Wichita, Newton, Hutchinson, McPherson, Salina, Concordia, Abilene, Ft. Riley, Atchison, Kansas City, Ottawa, Garnett, Iola, Chanute, Parsons, Coffeyville, Independence, Moline, Arkansas City, Winfield and El Dorado.