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This Fort Riley Friday we begin our look at historic Marshall Army Airfield.
Located in an area historically known as Smoky Hill Flats, what we now know as the airfield, was originally the post's polo field. In May 1907, the Junction City Union newspaper reported that the war department made an allotment of $3,000 for construction of a bungalow at the polo grounds, and that “…it will be one of the finest buildings in the way of a country club house or sportsmen's lodge in this part of the state.”
The polo bungalow, located at present day 748 Ray Road, was indeed built in 1907 and, by all accounts, is the oldest permanent structure on the airfield. It was constructed with limestone walls and foundation, a shingled roof and wood floors. Prior to 1930, the building was renovated and the porch removed resulting in building 748 taking on its present-day appearance. In its 1963 inventory of Fort Riley buildings, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers called it, “(historically) significant as a representation of Kansas limestone construction.”
Through the years, the bungalow has also served as an airfield maintenance facility and offices for various contractors. Building 748 is home to Fort Riley's custodial contractor.
Have you or someone you know ever worked in bldg. 748? Let us know in the comments!
Pictured: 748 Ray Road in 1907, top, in 1930, middle, and as it appears today, bottom.
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2021 10:09 |
| Photo ID: | 6577638 |
| VIRIN: | 210331-A-YH536-001 |
| Resolution: | 1200x1200 |
| Size: | 1019.79 KB |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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