Historic California Posts, Camps, Stations and Airfields

Elk Grove Auxiliary Field

(Mather Auxiliary Field No. 5)

 

On 22 December 1942, the War Department acquired, through the Federal condemnation process, a quarter-section (160 acres) tract for the establishment of a auxiliary air field for the Army Air Forces' Mather Field. However, the initial plan to establish the Site as an 'all weather' (i.e. paved) was cancelled a week later on 28 December 1942. Documentation suggests that 2,200' x 2,500' landing area was prepared and awaiting paving at the time of cancellation.

On 30 April 1943, the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces made the determination that the Site was no longer needed to support operations at Mather Field. The reason for this was that the Site was too small to permit operations by the multi-engine aircraft that were operating from Mather Field. There is no evidence that the U.S. Army built any structures at the Site.

On 23 November 1943, the Site was revested (returned) to the original owners. In addition to a monetary settlement made to the property owners, the tenants on the property at the time of the condemnation received reimbursement for crops that were damaged by the U.S. Army.

The remained agricultural land for several decade until the early 2000's when it was developed into a planned residential neighborhood.

US Army Corps of Engineers Real Estate Map

 

 

 

 

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Updated 8 February 2016