Updated: October 5, 2006

n the early days of aviation, Frank Miller and other community leaders persuaded the U.S. government to locate an airfield east of Riverside. With the backing of the Riverside Chamber of Commerce, Frank Miller signed the deed transferring 640 acres of Alessandro Ranch to the Army Signal Corps. The first military plane landed at the new airfield on March 1, 1918 and by July, cadets were in training. Thus began an extraordinary part of Riverside County’s military history.

Miller also had significant influence when selecting the architect for March Field. He recommended Myron Hunt when more permanent structures were being considered. The government reported that the style of the base was to “harmonize with the best traditions of the historical architecture of Southern California.” Construction began in 1929 using Hunt’s designs.

The first Lockheed P-38 flight departed from March Field in January of 1939. Nicknamed the “Lightning,” the P-38 saw extensive service in North Africa and Europe during WWII. Despite the drinking “ditty” that began “Don’t give me a P-38 with props that counter-rotate. They’ll loop, roll and spin, but they’ll soon auger in . . .,” the 475th Fighter Group (formed in 1943) earned 562 victories in the South Pacific flying the P-38. Artifacts from both the P-38 National Association and the 475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation are housed at the March Field Air Museum.

Classroom Lesson Plans
California Educational Standards

Belloli, Jay ed.( 1984). Essays by Jean Block, Peter de Bretteville, Alson Clark, Robert Judson Clark, Jan Furey Muntz, Stefanos Polyzoides, and Robert Winter. The Search for a Regional Architecture California Architecture and Architects, No.4..

This volume is a collection of essays on various aspects architect Myron Hunt’s work. Hunt is the architect of the Caltech, Pomona, and Occidental College campuses, the Pasadena Public Library, the Rose Bowl, the Mission Inn, March Field, and many other distinguished public buildings.