A Piece of Local Military History
by Oak Harbor, Washington is rich with military history. This article gives reference to a local state park which was once a military installation. It also includes history of Oak Harbor’s Naval Seaplane Base.
One of two huge guns stationed at Fort Casey, Coupeville, Washington. The original guns were melted down and recycled after WWII. Today, it is part of an historical landmark and is opened to the public as a state park.
This is the underground home of Fort Casey’s huge military guns. The guns were built on a retractable system. Construction started in 1897 and went into full operation in 1901. In 1903, airplanes became part of technology making this military site with its retractable guns obsolete. These guns were not portable and therefore were of no use to US Naval Battleships.
During WWII, most of these guns were removed and send to Germany and the Pacific and mounted on railcars as part of a mobile artillery system.
Seaplane Base, Oak Harbor, Washington
According to Freeman (2005), the Seaplane Base in Oak Harbor Washington began its history in 1941 in response to a request for a naval installation to arm and refuel naval seaplanes in the defense of the Puget Sound Region in the western pacific edge of Washington State. The seaplanes remain there until early 1970 when the remaining squadron of naval seaplanes relocated to Hawaii.
The Seaplane Base located in my home town of Oak Harbor, Washington was commissioned into service in 1942. Its mission was to provide maintain, support and operate military facilities. Its mission also included vehicle maintenance, aviation maintenance, paint and boat shop services.
For another interesting article visit: Economic Advantages and Disadvantages: Aviation Maintenance and Repair Industry http://www.socyberty.com/Economics/Economic-Advantages-and-Disadvantages-Aviation-Maintenance-and-Repair-Industry.75704.
See my friends at http://christonecipher-friends.blogspot.com
also see:
http://socyberty.com/history/battle-of-trenton-2/
http://socyberty.com/history/george-washington-his-legacy/
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Post CommentCHAN LEE PENG
On November 12, 2008 at 8:31 am
Really great read here, thanks!
goodselfme
On November 12, 2008 at 12:12 pm
well constructed article with much info.
Karen N
On November 12, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Really interesting article!
Chris Stonecipher
On November 12, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Thank you Chan, Roberta, and Karen for your kind comments.
Lauren Axelrod
On November 12, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Interesting history. I love visiting places like this. the photo’s are tied together very well with the content. Keep it up kid!
Chris Stonecipher
On November 12, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Thanks Lauren!:)
Countrymom
On November 13, 2008 at 3:57 pm
We went to Fort Casey last summer. An annual trek for our family as we have relatives on Whidbey. My kids love to romp and roam the grounds and we even found a building in the woods below the bunkers that we had missed our last umpteen visits. Don’t forget to visit the lighthouse and climb the tower there too! Thank you for sharing and reminding me of the great state we live in!
Chris Stonecipher
On November 13, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Thanks Countrymom,
It sounds like we must be neighbors. I will check out the building in the woods below the bunkers and the lighthouse. I live 5 miles from Fort Casey.
Countrymom
On November 13, 2008 at 5:30 pm
You’re welcome Chris. I actually live on the other side of the state but visit Whidbey to see inlaws at least yearly. I believe it is near the middle bunker on the low side in the trees behind a “guard shack” You have to look down into the trees and you can see the roof. Go to the tree to the right and there is a trail that winds down to it. Beautiful and very photogenic. We took a lot of pictures there but haven’t gotten them off the camera as of yet. Let me know if you can’t find it and I will try to provide better directions. Somehow we missed it for many many years. LOL
nobert soloria bermosa
On November 14, 2008 at 5:18 pm
interesting history,thanks
Chris Stonecipher
On November 15, 2008 at 12:43 am
Thank you Nobert!
Brian Daniel Stankich
On November 16, 2008 at 12:01 am
Chris, nice genre, to focus on a local item! I’ll have to think how I can use that. Brian
Chris Stonecipher
On November 16, 2008 at 10:50 am
Thank you Brian for your continued support and kind comments.
C Jordan
On November 19, 2008 at 6:28 pm
thanks Chris, a really good read.
The Quail
On February 16, 2009 at 11:21 pm
An Awesome read here and really cool pictures too.
R J Evans
On February 17, 2009 at 1:28 am
Very interesting piece – I love findignout about places I have never been!
Unofre Pili
On February 17, 2009 at 5:19 am
Thanks for a piece of history.
Cheryl Sills
On February 18, 2009 at 9:27 am
Really good article. Thank you.
eddiego65
On February 24, 2009 at 6:38 am
Interesting piece of history!
Virginia Wolfe
On February 24, 2009 at 2:11 pm
really neat. the pictures made me want to visit myself!
Jo Oliver
On April 24, 2009 at 12:04 am
now how did I miss this?
Auron Renius
On October 24, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Interesting article.
Darla Cooke
On October 24, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Very interesting.
Chris Stonecipher
On October 24, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Thank you Darla and Auron! Your support along with the rest of my friends is much appreciated.