Miami in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Richmond Naval Air Station
Photographed By Dave W, December 27, 2022
1. Richmond Naval Air Station Marker
On this site on 15 September 1942 the Richmond Naval Air Station was established as a Lighter-Than-Air facility. Blimps from this station engaged is submarine patrol over the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and nearby Atlantic Ocean. Other activities included training programs for helium operators and night torpedo bomber crews. To house blimps at Richmond the Navy built three hangars 16.5 stories high and over 1,000 feet in length, among the largest wooden structures in the world. On 15 September 1945, exactly three years after the station was established, a severe hurricane and fire destroyed the hangars along with 368 military and civilian aircraft and 25 blimps placed inside. Winds of 170 mph with gusts to 196 were recorded at nearby Homestead Air Force Base. Deactivation of the Richmond Naval Air Station began soon afterward.
Erected by Association of Naval Aviation, Inc in cooperation with the Historical Association of Southern Florida.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is September 15, 1942.
Location. 25° 36.97′ N, 80° 23.965′ W. Marker is in Miami, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. Marker can be reached from Southwest 152nd Street, 0.2 miles west of Southwest
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Naval Air Station Richmond (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ferdinand Magellan (about 500 feet away); The Town of Peters (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Perrine Land Grant (approx. 3.4 miles away); Miami Serpentarium (approx. 5 miles away); Old Cutler Road (approx. 5.3 miles away); Silver Palm Historic District (approx. 5.3 miles away); Special Agent Jerry Dove, Special Agent Benjamin Grogan (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miami.
Also see . . .
1. Abandoned Florida Write up. Excellent picture of the interior of one of the hangars.
Lieutenant Nelson Grills and his crew of nine departed the Richmond Naval Air Station aboard a K-74, along with another airship, to provide escort for a freighter and a tanker that would be passing through the Straits of Florida. Grills’ orders were to pilot his airship to a position in the upper keys, while the other aircraft would take a longer, more southerly course.(Submitted on January 8, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)
2. Gold Coast Rail Museum. Excellent historic photos along with the write up.
The Richmond Naval Air Station was an active World War II,(Submitted on January 8, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)"lighter-than-air" blimp base that operated between 1942 and 1945. The Gold Coast Railroad Museum calls a part of the former Naval Air Station home. Upon visiting GCRM's historic rail cars, you can also expect to see a full exhibit of the Richmond Naval Air Station, including images, detailed maps, and videos.Photographed By Dave W, December 27, 20222. Richmond Naval Air Station Marker
via US Army Corps of Engineers, 1942
3. Richmond Naval Air Station
US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Website entry
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Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 176 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 8, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 3. submitted on March 18, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
