Randolph Field Historic District
Also known as: Base Administration Building
Why it's listed
Randolph Field is a military flying-school campus at the center of Randolph Air Force Base, about 18 miles northeast of San Antonio, Texas. Nearly all of it was built between 1929 and 1932 for the Army Air Corps. Its plan, called the 'Air City,' arranges roads in concentric circles and octagons around a central officers' club, with eight roads radiating outward like spokes. Hangar lines run along two sides of a larger square, aligned with the prevailing southeast winds. Most buildings are Spanish Colonial Revival, with stucco walls over hollow tile and red clay tile roofs, while the hangars are Art Deco. Many followed Quartermaster Corps standard plans, though major buildings such as the Administration Building, with its domed water tower, were designed locally. The district contains 350 contributing and 47 noncontributing resources, and its layout and landscaping remain largely intact despite window replacements and enclosed porches. It remains an active air facility.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Randolph Field as a planned 'Air City' with a circular road layout that was the first and only one of its kind on an American military airfield. It also highlights the cohesive Spanish Colonial Revival buildings, Art Deco hangars, designed landscaping and high integrity. The district has 350 contributing resources and 47 noncontributing ones.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 96000753, listed July 8, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Randolph Air Force Base, off Pat Booker Rd., 18 NE of San Antonio, San Antonio |
|---|---|
| County | Bexar County |
| Listed | July 8, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000753 |
| Resource type | District |
| Architect / builder | Standardized plans by the Army Quartermaster Corps; prominent buildings by local architects; Lieutenant Clark planned the Administration Building; Captain N. G. Bone was first landscape architect |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival; Art Deco |
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated August 7, 2001 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a defense air facility; historic use and current use are both listed as Defense, Air Facility. Some windows have been replaced and porches enclosed. |
| Acreage | 405 |
| Coordinates | 29.53230, -98.28042 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 96000753.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7291820
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.