Once a year, my husband and I drive to his work for a Health and Wellness screening test, a program which suggests ways to stay healthy and prevent illnesses. The program also provides discounted rates for weight loss products and services. We toured George Air Force Base before returning home.
George Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located in Victorville, California which was decommissioned in 1992 at the end of the Cold War. While most parts of the base remain abandoned, it is now the site of Southern California Logistics Airport. The Base was established by the United States Army Air Corps in June 1941 and was closed at the end of World War II. It was reopened in November 1950 as a training base and remained a training base throughout the Cold War until being closed in 1993.
The former Air Force Base is surrounded by few Businesses and parts of the Air Force Base are still operational and well maintained, such as the Children’s Playground and Game Courts which are in use on a daily basis by the public as well as a Church (First Christian Church of Victorville). The original 37-foot-wide, 81-foot-long and 32-foot-high Church building formerly located on George Air Force Base was purchased for $5 and moved to its current location by retired Pastor Tom Ratcliff at 9966 I Ave in 1979 .
There is no doubt that George Air Force Base was once a beautiful Military Community for the military personnel and their family members. It had everything from Security Kiosk, Administrative Building, Food Bank, School, Child Care Center (Children’s World), Game Courts (for entertaining and healthy recreational activities), Church, Hospital, Photo Lab, Movie Theater, Community Center, Officers Club, Burger King Restaurant, Phantom Lanes, Hangars, Westwinds Activities Center, Base Exchange, Commissary and so much more. Some of the facilities were demolished a few years ago and some are in the process of being demolished.
Given the pace at which some of these buildings are being demolished, it’s only a matter of time until pretty much everything is gone at George Air Force Base. What you should know prior to visiting the Base is that there are clear signs warning the public to keep out for various reasons and entering some buildings is considered trespassing. I heard there are installed motion sensors in the Hospital and they will go off every time someone enters the building or gets too close. Be very cautious while visiting older buildings and enter at your own risk.
Across from the base, there is the Victorville Federal Correctional Complex.
Click here to view more pictures (a Documentation Project by Bill Collinson).
Wising you a Blessed Weekend!
By JM Perez
