US Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles
District History (1992)
Site Name:
San Bernardino Engineer Sub Depot, currently known as National
Orange Show.
Site Location: Two miles north of the San Bernardino Freeway
in downtown San Bernardino.
Site History: The National Orange Show Stadium was built
by the Works Projects Administration in 1941 for San Bernardino
County. In 1942 the War Department leased 71.52 acres of land
from the San Bernardino County and acquired two permits for use
of a railroad spur to develop the San Bernardino Engineer Sub
Depot. Use of the depot as a weapons storage and sewage facility
terminated in 1946. Today the National Orange Show grounds are
used to host a variety of events such as flea markets, concerts
and car shows.
US Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles
District History (1993)
On 10 April 1942, the War Department leased 70.00 acres of land
from San Bernardino County for a Storage and Salvage Operations
Facility. An additional 1.52 acreage was acquired by lease from
two other land owners, bringing the total amount of leased land
in use to 71.52 acres. Two permits were also acquired. One permit
with the Pacific Electrical Railway Company allowed the Army
use of a railroad spur. The other was an encroachment permit
granted by the Division of Highways allowing use of a railroad
spur crossing. The site was developed and named the San Bernardino
Engineer Sub Depot.
The Army utilized this land as a storage and salvage facility
for weapons prior to their shipment overseas. No buildings or
structures were constructed in conjunction with this installation.
The San Bernardino Engineer Sub Depot remained active until July
of 1946.
On 12 July 1946, the Defense Department reported as surplus 71.52
acres leased. Lease termination was then imminent and became
official on 58.34 acres on 16 September 1946. Lease on the remaining
13.18 acres was officially terminated on 14 November 1946. Permits
granted by Pacific Electric Railway Company and the Division
of Highways for joint use of a railroad spur and spur crossing
were also terminated on 30 December 1946 and 5 September 1947.
This site is currently the National Orange Show grounds owned
by the County of San Bernardino.
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