Building 100 Marker

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Randolph Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Building 100
"The Taj Mahal"

Building 100 Marker Photo, Click for full size

By William Fischer, Jr., March 30, 2010

1. Building 100 Marker

Inscription.
In 1928 the San Antonio Airport Company purchased 2300 acres of land near the city and donated it to the United States Army Air Corps for development of a consolidated flight training facility. Called “The West Point of the Air”, Randolph Field was dedicated June 20, 1930. One month later, construction was begun on an administration building, designated as Building 100. Because of the structure's exotic appearance, student flyers nicknamed it “The Taj Mahal” soon after its completion in October 1931.

With its height and location, the building dominated Randolph Field and the surrounding countryside. It was also a prominent feature in several motion pictures filmed here. To many Americans, “The Taj Mahal” came to symbolize military aviation at a time when air power was becoming vital to military strength.

Building 100 was designed by San Antonio architect Atlee B. Ayres. Its unusual 170-foot tower conceals a 500,000-gallon water storage tank. A powerful beacon atop the tower can be seen by aircraft up to fifty miles away. The building also contains an 1100-seat movie theater. Its administrative offices now (1975) house the command section of the 12th Flying Training Wing of the United States Air Force.

Erected 1975 by Texas Historical Commission

Building 100 and Marker Photo, Click for full size

By William Fischer, Jr., March 30, 2010

2. Building 100 and Marker

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Marker series. This marker is included in the National Historic Landmarks marker series.

Location. 29° 32.181′ N, 98° 16.975′ W. Marker is in Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, in Bexar County. Marker is at the intersection of Washington Circle and Northwest Drive, on the right when traveling east on Washington Circle. Click for map. Access is restricted due to Randolph AFB being an active military installation. Marker is in this post office area: Randolph A F B TX 78150, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Missing Man Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Chapel (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); Post Exchange (about 300 feet away); PX Filling Station (about 500 feet away); Gas and Electric Sub Station (about 500 feet away); Cessna T-37 Tweet (approx. 0.2 miles away); Comanche Lookout (approx. 6 miles away); M-1905 Field Gun (approx. 12.6 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Randolph Air Force Base.

Also see . . .
1. Taj Mahal Fact Sheet. (Submitted on June 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas.)
2. Randolph Field Historic District. (Submitted on June 11, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas.)

Building 100 "The Taj Mahal" Photo, Click for full size

By William Fischer, Jr., March 30, 2010

3. Building 100 "The Taj Mahal"

By William Fischer, Jr., March 30, 2010

4. Building 100 "The Taj Mahal"

Building 100 From the Air Photo, Click for full size

By William Fischer, Jr., March 28, 2010

5. Building 100 From the Air

Taken on approach to the San Antonio airport.

Credits. This page originally submitted on June 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas. This page has been viewed 752 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas. 5. submitted on August 1, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Fort Scott, Kansas.