January 19, 2024

Borrego Springs Military History

Borrego Springs, once a bustling hub of military activity, now rests in serene quietude, a stark contrast to its past.

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BORREGO HOTEL TARGET AREA

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BORREGO MANEUVER AREA

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The Military History of Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego

The Transformation of Borrego Springs: From Military Grounds to Serene Desert

Located in San Diego County, Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park stand as tranquil reminders of a turbulent past. This region, characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and an average annual temperature of 72.6°F, was once a significant military area. Two crucial military sites, the Borrego Hotel site and the Borrego Maneuver Area, played pivotal roles during World War II.

The Borrego Hotel Site: A World War II Bombing Range

The Borrego Hotel site, a 160-acre parcel in the Borrego Valley, was once an emergency landing field and bombing range for the U.S. Navy. Acquired around 1941, it was active until 1955, playing a critical role in naval air training. Despite the desert's arid conditions, the site, also known as Target 63, hosted numerous military exercises, including high altitude bombing, dive bombing, and strafing. The facility construction included a dirt runway and bombing targets, yet the land has since returned to a state of untouched wilderness, bearing no trace of its past.

The Borrego Maneuver Area: Army Training Ground

Encompassing approximately 400 square miles, the Borrego Maneuver Area was obtained by the U.S. Army around 1942 for anti-aircraft training. This expansive area saw extensive military use, primarily for "dry run" and "live fire" training exercises by anti-aircraft units. Interestingly, the only significant Army improvement was the black-topping of Yaqui Pass Road.

The Aftermath: Return to Tranquility

Following the war, both sites were deemed excess to military needs and were eventually released to civilian ownership. Today, these lands are predominantly under the stewardship of the State of California, serving as state park land and preserving the natural beauty of the Borrego Valley.

Ecological and Geological Significance

The Anza-Borrego Desert, enveloping these historic sites, is a part of the Colorado Desert Biogeographical Province, offering a diverse landscape of sandstone, silt, jagged mountains, and narrow canyons. This region, bisected by the San Jacinto and Elsinore fault zones, presents a fascinating blend of geological features shaped over millions of years.

Reflecting on the Past, Embracing the Present

The transformation of Borrego Springs from a hub of military activity to a serene desert landscape is a tale of resilience and change. These sites, once alive with the sounds of military training, now offer peaceful retreats, inviting visitors to explore and appreciate the natural wonders of the Anza-Borrego Desert.

A Legacy Preserved

While the military past of Borrego Springs is a significant chapter in its history, the region today stands as a testament to the power of nature and the human spirit to adapt and evolve. It's a story worth telling, a history worth preserving, and a landscape worth exploring.

How a Calcite mine in the Anza-Borrego desert of California helped drop the atomic bombs of World War II.

This video is about two Training Areas in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park used for training pilots for bombing and staffing exercises. It explains the use of 4 Rake Stations built to track the accuracy of the pilots efforts to hit targets. The video also gives an overview of the Mobilization efforts starting in 1941.

This is the story of the Crash of a T-39 Sabreliner and the loss of 5 officers on April 1, 1977 in Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

Timeline: The Military History of Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego

1940 - 1944: The War Years and Military Utilization

1940, September 7: The U.S. Navy begins the process of acquiring land for military purposes, following recommendations for advanced carrier training activities.
1941, July 10: The U.S. Navy acquires 160 acres of land in Borrego Valley, known as the Borrego Hotel site, through condemnation for use as an emergency landing field and bombing target.
1942, March 20: The U.S. Army obtains 400 square miles in the Borrego Desert for use as the Borrego Maneuver Area.
1943-1944: The Army Anti-Aircraft Training Center (AARTC) at Camp Callan uses the Borrego Maneuver Area for field training and anti-aircraft artillery firing.
1943, September: Camp Callan's Anti-Aircraft Replacement Training Center begins using the Borrego Maneuver Area for "dry run" and "live fire" training exercises.

1944 - 1956: Site Inactivation and Transition to Civilian Use

1944, May 29: Camp Callan declares the Borrego Maneuver Area as excess to its needs.
1944, July 13: The Borrego Maneuver Area is declared surplus by the Headquarters Army Ground Forces.
1944, August 26: The Borrego Maneuver Area is confirmed as vacated and will not be used again by the Army, with the site being policed for hazards.
1955, October 31: The Department of the Navy declares the Borrego Hotel site excess to its needs.
1956, January 25: The Borrego Hotel site is declared surplus and classified for agricultural use.
1956, July 23: The General Services Administration (GSA) offers the Borrego Hotel site for sale in a local newspaper.
1956, September 6: The Borrego Hotel site is sold to a private landowner by the GSA.

Post-1956: The Present Day

The former Borrego Hotel site and the Borrego Maneuver Area have been predominantly under state, federal, and private ownership since their closure as military sites. The predominant portion of the land is now utilized by the State of California as part of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

This timeline encapsulates the key events in the military history of Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego, highlighting their transformation from strategic military grounds to serene desert landscapes.

American Legion Post 853: 1941 Scout Car

September 3, 2024

This particular Scout Car, USA-W1162547, was used by General Patton's Third Army in the Anza-Borrego desert while training for the invasion of North Africa in 1943.

Borrego Military Target Area

November 10, 2023

Borrego’s Military Echoes Borrego Springs is renowned for its serene deserts and pristine night skies, but beneath its tranquil surface lies a military past rooted deeply in the sands of time. The Borrego Hotel, once an Emergency Landing Field and Bombing Range during World War II, stands as a testament to the area’s contribution to the nation’s wartime readiness. Borrego’s Wartime Role In 1941, as global conflicts escalated, the U.S. Navy selected the remote desert of Borrego Springs for military preparedness. The Borrego Hotel was transformed into a strategic site where pilots practiced vital skills such as high-altitude bombing and emergency procedures essential for combat. The facility included a 250-foot by 2600-foot dirt runway and a distinctive bombing target marked by concentric circles, making it a significant training hub for the San Diego Naval Air Station. The AT-11 Kansan was the typical aircraft used for bomb target practice. Military Legacy and Community Safeguarding Post-war, the site continued under Navy use until 1955, after which it was returned to private hands. Today, the land is primarily recreational, but the imprints of history remain. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been involved in the environmental restoration of this Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), ensuring that the land, once a cradle of wartime activity, is now safe for public enjoyment. Their efforts included detailed investigations to identify and mitigate any residual hazards, confirming the area’s use for military training with findings of practice bombs and munitions debris. Echoes of History in Modern Tranquility The shift from a training ground to tranquil desert is profound. Where pilots once honed their wartime skills, visitors now experience peace and quietude. The Borrego Hotel’s legacy, intertwined with environmental restoration endeavors, continues to shape the region’s identity, bridging its historical military importance with its present-day role as a sanctuary for nature and relaxation. Voices from the Past: Borrego Springs’ Military Heritage Borrego Springs’ military heritage is preserved not only in historical documents but also in the memories and accounts of those who lived and served in the area. Interviews with local residents and military personnel offer a personal glimpse into the past, bringing to life the stories not captured in written records alone. Sgt. Grayson’s Insights : SGT Grayson of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Arson/Explosives Unit shared that he had no knowledge of ordnance activity at the Borrego Hotel site, extending his insights to the broader region of Anza Borrego State Park. Fire Department’s Perspective : Investigator Steve Sawyer of the Borrego Springs Fire Department Arson/Bomb Unit also had no recollection of ordnance presence at the former Borrego Hotel Site. Local Law Enforcement Observations : Deputies Hahn and McKenna confirmed no awareness of a target area or ordnance presence at the site, acknowledging other range activities within the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Lifelong Residents’ Accounts : Nancy Ellis and David Ragsdill shared their lack of awareness of military activity at the Borrego Hotel site but knew of other military sites in the area. Legacy in the Land : Florence Leedy provided an account of a concentric circle bombing target on her property. Park Rangers’ Confirmation : Park Rangers like Fred Jee, Mark Jorgensen, and Jim Meiers acknowledged no knowledge of ordnance at the Borrego Hotel site but were familiar with evidence of past military activity within the area. Borrego Hotel: A Timeline of Transformation Pre-1941 : The area where Camp Ensign would be built was originally Ensign Ranch date palm orchards. 1941 : Opening of the Borrego Hotel Target Area for high-altitude bombing, dive-bombing, and strafing. 1942 : Establishment of the Borrego Valley Maneuver Area by the US Army as an Anti-Aircraft Training Center, also used by the Marine Corps. Construction of bombing stations, strafing stations, rocket targets, and anti-aircraft artillery for training. 1943 : US Marines construct Camp Ensign for military truck driving training at night. Ensign Ranch Airfield is built just south of Camp Ensign. 1944 : Closure of the Borrego Valley Maneuver Area in August. 1955 : Closure of the Borrego Hotel Target Area and Naval Outlying Landing Field. 1956 : Sale of the land of the Borrego Hotel Target Area and Naval Outlying Landing Field. Present : The region is known for recreational use and desert serenity, with environmental restoration efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1990s-2010s. Today, it is celebrated for its natural beauty and quietude, with historical significance commemorated by the community. These interviews and historical insights underscore the layered history of Borrego Springs, where the military past intersects with civilian life, creating a rich tapestry of heritage and tranquility. Check out this military report for more details.