Blimp Base - Hitchcock, TX
Posted by: 
ggmorton
N 29° 21.482 W 095° 02.656
15R E 301556 N 3249389
A blimp base in Hitchcock, TX that was important to WWII.
Waymark Code: WM1PVR
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 06/18/2007
Views: 191
In an effort to defend U. S. coasts and shipping lanes against German submarine activity during World War II, the U. S. Navy established bases to house huge lighter-than-air (LTA) craft, also known as blimps were uniquely qualified for coastal defense and observation.
Because of its site on the flat Texas coastal plain, Hitchcock was chosen as the location for one of the nine new blimp bases. Construction began in 1942, and the facility was commissioned on May 22, 1943. The resulting military personnel build-up caused an economic boom in the community.
The Hitchcock base consisted of forty-seven buildings, including a massive hangar to house six blimps, administration buildings, warehouses, living quarters, and recreational facilities. Aircraft from the base, in addition to their regular patrolling duties, were also used to assist with hurricane relief efforts and war bond drives.
In 1944, after the blimps were no longer needed, the Hitchcock base was redesignated for other purposes. Following the war some of the buildings were used by private interests, and after hurricane damage in 1961 the blimp hangar was razed.
Related Website: [Web Link]
Supplementary Related Website: [Web Link]
Admission Fee: 0
Opening Days/Times:
This is a 24 hour drive past only. Is on private property, buy very easily seen from the road.
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Visit Instructions:
Posting a picture(s) of the location would be nice although not required.