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Show THE GRiEEN SHEET 4 Thursday, January 16, 1986 Vast Residental Areaa Arose From Old Camp Kearns - Forty Years Ago, Military Flavor Bagan To Disappear munities. Here, as in other areas of the country, community housing projects grew out of temporary facilities built to meet the needs of war. Kearns is now a rapidly growing and expanding area. The last census showed a population of 42,000, a jump of 12,000 in the last census period (10 years), said Arlo James of the Kearns Town Council. There were originally 9.998 homes in the area back in 1950-6before the Western Hills and other sections were built. The town has doubled in 20 years and is still growing very rapidly, he said. Some landmarks from the days when it was an army base can still be seen. One of the base theaters was located where Kearns junior high now stands, with the schools auditorium the actual theater. The railroad station is now Crown Acres nursery school, and the gate there by Olga Milius Green Sheet Staff Writer KEARNS. It may not be as old as Williamsburg, or as colorful as San g Francisco, but this area has a history of its own. The year 1986 marks the 40th anniversary of when a town, an area of homes and businesses, began to take over an army base. The site, army base and suburb, is after Senator Thomas named Kearns, a prominent member of the Utah political and financial elite, who was also an enthusiastic booster of Utah as a location for military facilities. When America entered the Second World War, the War Department looked for sites to train and build a military machine capable of securing the safety of the country. Several factors were considered, including safety from enemy attack, terrain and climate and availability of land. Northern Utah was a rail junction, with a modern civilian airport and with Hill Air Force Base to the north. Fort Douglas was an active army post and Camp Williams had facilities to house and train troops. A central area was required and the land now known as Kearns was relatively level, easily convertible to an army-ai- r base and considered able to become operational in a short period of time. The site was acquired and construction begun on April 2, 1942. The base was designed as a temporary facility to be dismantled when the war ended. The initial cost to build the base is estimated at $17 million. By May the water mains were in, electric power available, and paved roads laid out. Tarpaper and wood buildings were under construction, a railhead and spur line connecting with Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad had been built and, by August, facilities to house, feed, train and deploy between 20,000 and 70,000 soldiers were in place and functional. The base included 1.7 million square feet of warehouse space, 926 tarpaper sheeted buildings, two d fire stations, two three theaters, 16 gymnasiums, ... THE FORTIES In addition to numerous wooden structures, there were a lot of tents dotted around Camp Kearns, such as these where military personnel are seen tidying up the area. In 1946, after mess halls, a library, two service clubs, a cold storage plant, parade hospital and grounds, a parking areas for all. Numerous other smaller buildings were added and more than 25,000 trees and shrubs planted, as well as grass to hold down dust created by construction. By Camp Kearns was the third largest community in Utah, reflecting both the large size of the base and the relatively small population of the state. Previously, in 1861, Camp Floyd, a Union Army garrison, also held position as the third largest population center of the mid-194- state. By October of 1943, Kearns Army Air base had trained 90,000 airmen, including pilots, navigators and fully-equippe- Utech Food Service Is Given High Marks TAYLORSVILLE. Quality, choices, prices and speedy service all get rave reviews from the majority of students here at Utah Technical College as they grade the college food service on the Redwood Road campus. Of those who responded to our recent survey, not less than 80 percent were very favorable to our department, says A1 Richardson, food TAYLORSVILLE. Classes free to members of Laborers Local 295 and union contractors are being set up here in asbestos removal, first aid, welding, blueprint reading and concrete technology. Sponsored by Utah Technical College, Laborers Local 295 and the Utah chapter of Associated General Contractors, these short-terrestricted classes are paid for by Utah Laborers training trust fund. Instructor Bill Duke says the m y asbestos removal class begins Monday, while the blueprint reading program is scheduled for Monday evenings, starting Jan. 27. The first aid class is a one-da- y multimedia session on Jan. 25. The welding class starts in three-da- Additional is information available by calling Mr. Duke at or Pirate Swim Club Garners Meet Honors The Pirate Swim club in the Tooele Zone C meet last week along with the West Valley Orcas, Murray Aquatic club, Kearns Aquatic club and the Tooele swimmers. The Pirate swimmers took five first places, seven seconds and two thirds. Those taking first in their events were Amber Kershaw, 13, in the 50 freestyle and the 200 IM; Craig Barnes, 13, in the 200 IM; Cindy Bryant, 8, in the 50 breast, 100 IM and 100 freestyle. The team has been invited to the Bridgerland Open in Logan on Jan. MAGNA. participated 24. ENGINES REBUILT I $50ofi l carefully remanufactured with the highest quality parts right here in our Machine Shop. All IMPORTS and DOMESTIC to: ALL MAKES - I I or I PrecisionPrices Engineered Performance Products Call us for IP.E.P. come in Engine West -- - 972-510- 3 Bring this ad with you for $50 off the regular in price of a Rebuilt Engine installed your vehicle. J3ffer ends T31 86 I L HUNTER. Third and fourth grade students at Hunter elementary and their parents are being invited to meet the principal for lunch here next week. The 1:30 p.m. luncheon session will be held in the schools satellite building, where Dr. Douglas New will meet with students and interested parents. COG Session Continued from page 1 Senator Fred Finlinson just a few short moments to get COG members to vote to support a proposal to build a sewer line up Emigration Canyon; discussed the cost of school crossing guards (Salt Lake County will spend some $405,000 for 119 crossing guards, Salt Lake City about $478,000 for 98 guards, West Valley City more than $76,000 for 26 sentinels); and listened to Riverton Mayor Dale Gardner chastise commissioners for chopping more than $350,000 from Health Department the budget in an effort to satisfy tax pro- War Two ended, the area's appearance began to change. Now, 40 years later the area is one of the fastest growing residential communities in the state. World other crewmen for larger aircraft, along with maintenance technicians and support personnel. Some of the men stayed in Utah, going to Wendover Army Air Base, Hill Field or Fort Douglas for advanced training in various career military fields. Senator Harry S. Truman visited the Kearns base in 1944 on an inspection tour as chairman of the War Investigation Committee, professed himself very impressed and wrote a letter of commendation to the commander of the Ninth Service Command located at Fort Douglas. While the base grew from an idea to a finished entity very rapidly, the process was not without problems. Some were of a political-religiou- s nature as the lifestyle of troops came into conflict with the Mormon lifestyle. Nevertheless, romances and marriages occurred and some of the men stationed there returned as civilians to live in the area. Women made up a large percentage of the work force, including both military and civilians. Almost all jobs were filled by women, including nurses, clerks, drivers, librarians, light mechanics and truck dirversL.. Many groups still meet annually for reunions to visit and recall their days at Kearns during the war years. I. Members of the Camp Kearns motor pool, which began as the women drove dump trucks while the base was still under construction, drove water trucks also and were responsible, among other duties, for Chinese watering newly-plante- d Elms in the area. At the end of the war, the camp was dismantled almost as rapidly as it had been built. There was much discussion about the future of the site, with some suggesting it be made into an industrial park, others that it be returned to farming. Still others felt that it was a shame to waste the facilities and suggested that it be used as a subdivision to build homes for veterans. The idea of building housing was eventually decided upon as the best use of the land, although it was not set aside for veterans, but declared open for low and moderate income housing. The community of Kearns rose from the rubble of Kearns Army Air Base, notes the United States Air Force in Utah Historical Record, reflecting once again the benefits for Utah by participating in the military support programs of the Federal Government. It continues, Historically, forts had been built to protect com- - LONG GONE . . . Tall stacks riso on oach sldo of this military struc- ture which was part of tho old Camp Koarns, an installation usod ing World War Two which faded from the scene, giving way residential community of thousands. ' dur- to a n g WITH DELUXE SALEM SI 2.95 to SI K-TR- FABRICS ON 8.95 INSTALLED OVER DELUXE PAD! MHWGvP!!) The Great North American Vacation Giveaway Includes Four Days and Three Nights of... Deluxe Room Accommodations at the STOVALL MOTOR HOTELS rooms adjoining and overlooking Disneyland Welcome Continental Breakfast One y Pass to Disneyland Two children 18 and under stay free with Parents Free Shuttlebus to and from Disneyland Main Gate All hotels offer outdoor heated pools, sauna, spa, and children's wading pool. All-Da- City-Coun- ty testers. THANK YOU We would like to thank you for participating in our voluntary pay program. Much of our carrier's wage comes from your payment, and if they do a good job we hope' you reward them. We greatly appreciate PUllOWDistrJnc your support. The Green Sheet 155 E. 4905 South Murray, Utah 84107 2626667 Office Hours: Monday Friday, 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Peter Bernhard, Publisher Robert Prince, V.P Operations JeTu1ltTncIne?T l& I commented Marilyn Madsen, Town Council member. I had no idea that a busy air base once stood where I now live. Its interesting to know that Kearns played an important part in our countrys history. Hunter School Beckons Parents 967-406- 4 972-538- I its background, - Free Classes Are Offered February. . And 97 percent service director. said our employees had a good or excellent attitude, too. Utah Techs food services get top marks from the. community, also.. On one recent Saturday night during the holidays, well over 700 people enjoyed the special buffet, or attended private parties on campus catered by the college food service departWe have catered for ment. businesses, church groups, city and state governmental agencies, family says you name it, parties Richardson. And the thing is that they like it all well enough to make reservations now for the next holiday season. On or off campus, Utah Technical Colleges food service is having a busy time. Through these proclaimed gates go the best damn soldiers in the world. The first store in town was located In an army building located across the street from the present Pick and Save store. The original Camp Kearns flag pole still stands, in a small park area at the corner of 4000 West and 5400 South, along with a 1904 cannon which was brought to Kearns in 1942, and the Vietnam War Memorial, installed by the Town Council two years ago. Citizens of .Kearns have a proud heritage and many of the newer residents of the area are unaware of once Bill Olson, V P Marketing Donald Robinson, Editor Ethel Bradford, Editor Michele Bartmess, Editor Karen Egli, Circulation Pat Robinson, Circulation Jan Brown, Business Floor Covering Brokers 967 East 4800 So. 4-- F Murray Holladay Road 261-595- Mailed Subscriptions: The Jordan Valley Sentinel (ISSN 8750 4707) USPS 656 380, is published weekly by Diversified Suburban Inc., 155 E. 4905 South, Murray, Utah Newspapers, 84107. Second class postage paid at Salt Lake City, Utah. Grantsville Postmaster: Send address changes to The Green Sheet, P.O. Box 7167, Murray, Utah 84107 Midway Subscriptions are sold on a one year basis and must be pre paid Rates are 12.00 per year. We offer a 259s Senior Citizens discount on subscription rates. Zone editions for Murray and West Valley are available. Suite 9 Other Locations Layton - Center - 185 East Main 884-635- 5 - 140 North - 1086 East Gentile St. - 654-281- 6 546-666- 2 |