MONOGRAPHS OF KINNEY COUNTY’S ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE: Army Air Service Hangar

September 18, 2026

by Fort Clark Heritage Council, Bill Haenn, FCHC Senior Historian

This bi-weekly feature examines the enduring unique architecture and historic associations to be found here in Kinney County by spotlighting individual buildings and providing brief histories, complimented by period photographs. Our intent is to explore the past, inspire the present, and build the future by showcasing the remarkable associations and legacies of structures which have stood the test of time and continue to contribute so much to the exceptional heritage of Kinney County. Our next subject is the “Army Air Service Hangar,” the structure is an outlier of the Historic District and is now over a century old.

Post building No. 288. Fort Clark’s Army Air Service hangar, built in 1921, is possibly the third oldest military hanger in the nation and a classic example of the U.S. Army All-Steel hangar which was a workhorse design of the World War I era. This type hangar was in fact mass-produced during the Great War, but many building components did not reach their intended locations until after the Armistice as is the case with Fort Clark’s hangar. During its active service the hangar was home to detachments of the 26th Attack Squadron (1924), the 12th Observation Squadron (1925), the 52nd Observation Squadron (1928) and the 111th Observation Squadron of the Texas National Guard (1941-42) in the “quiet time” between the world wars.1 The airfield also had a weather station and two sets of enlisted quarters. Adjacent to the air field were the post racetrack and polo field. In 1941, when the 112th Cavalry garrisoned the post, dances were frequently held in the hangar.

The October 1928 inspection report of Fort Clark offers considerable detail on the makeup of the air field at that time:

The flying field at Fort Clark covers an area of approximately one square mile. It is situated on the military reservation, about one mile south of the post proper. The field is level and is reported to be suitable for landing purposes. More or less trouble is experienced, however, due to the number of jack rabbits that burrow and raise mounds varying from a few inches to a foot or more in height. The filling of the burrows requires constant attention on the part of the caretaker. Seemingly there is no remedy for this unless an attempt is made to exterminate the rabbits. The structures on the field include one steel hangar, a gasoline tank installation, and two sets of quarters.

During the visit of the inspecting officer he observed that two “saber heads” used by the cavalrymen at saber drills had been set up on the field approximately 100 feet from the road that parallels the field on the north side, but upon inquiry it was ascertained that these heads, which are affixed to frame stands at a height of four and six feet, respectively, from the ground, had been moved from a point about 1,000 feet from the northern boundary by the attendant in charge of the flying field. Heedless to state, the heads were a menace to landing planes and it is recommended, therefore, that orders be issued by the post authorities that will prevent the erection of any structure or menacing objects on the field..

It is pertinent to remark that provision has not been made for illuminating the field, although current is supplied to the field from the post. The line to the flying field is of No. 6 weather proof copper wire and has carrying capacity to provide for the flood lights at such time as they may be installed.

The gasoline storage tank and pump are in good condition. However, & few rust spots are beginning to show on various parts of the pipe. Such rust spots should be wire brushed and one coat of aluminum bronze applied.

The motor which drives the centrifugal gasoline pump should be protected by a canvas cover when not in use.

The hangar was evaluated as follows:

Steel frame construction; corrugated iron sides and roof. Dimensions, 75' x 145'. Almost all of the 230 wire glass window panes on the north side have been broken. Of this number 14 show bullet holes. On the south side of the building 51 of the 230 panes are either cracked or broken. Approximately half of the floor area has been filled so as to bring the floor to a proper grade, The remaining half should be filled to a height of approximately eight inches, after which the fill should be wetted and impacted by a roller. The roof and walls are in good condition but should receive a coat of paint, preferably gray for the walls end, red metallic for the roof. If funds will permit it is recommended that a concrete ramp be constructed alone the front entrance so as to make the hangar easily accessible for the storage of planes. Air Corps funds to the amount of $200.00 have been allotted to the post and this amount, it is believed, will be ample to provide for the repairs and other improvements already listed, with the exception of the replacement of wire glass.

Perhaps the most noteworthy event in the history of the airfield occurred on Thursday, May 4, 1933 when an Army transport plane tragically crashed and burned while attempting to land. Lieutenant William L. Bogen, pilot of an Army Transport plane was enroute from Fort Crockett in Galveston to March Field, California, with Master Sergeant Joe Grant, Staff Sergeant Doy D. Dodd, Sergeants J. M. Dunlavy and Thomas J. Rogers and Corporal Leo E. Maupin as passengers. While attempting to make a landing at Fort Clark in order to refuel the plane, a treacherous, gusty wind jeopardized a safe landing. The pilot opened the throttle to try another landing, but the plane was sluggish in regaining its flying speed, the landing gear dragging through the trees and the propeller chopping the highest branches. The airplane continued flying for several seconds, gaining a little altitude, but finally crashed head-on into a grove of tall pecan trees, immediately bursting into flames, crashing fifty feet to the ground and finally exploding. Sergeant Rogers, without regard for safety to his own life and limb, delayed his exit from the burning wreckage in order to assist Sergeant Dunlavy, who was stunned and in a dazed condition as a result of the crash. After aiding Sergeant Dunlavy, and perhaps because of having aided him, Sergeant Rogers himself became entangled in the wreckage and was extricated only because of the efforts of others present, and then only after receiving severe burns. Lieutenant Bogen and Sergeant Dodd, after extricating themselves from the wreckage of the burning airplane, observing the plight of Corporal Maupin who, caught in the wreckage appeared to be unable to free himself, re-entered the flaming mass of the wrecked airplane without regard to their own personal safety, liberated the imperiled passenger and led him to safety.

On January 20, 1934, it was announced by Major General Benjamin D. Foulois, Chief of the Air Corps, that upon recommendation of the Cheney Award Board and with approva1 of the Chief of the Air Corps, for the first time in its history three aviators had been nominated for the Cheney Award;2 Second Lieutenant William L. Bogen, Air Reserve; Staff Sergeant Doy D. Dodd, 60th Service Squadron; and Sergeant Thomas J. Rogers, 90th Attack Squadron, all of whom, at the time the meritorious acts were performed, were members of the 3rd. Attack Group stationed at Fort Crockett, Galveston, Texas. In making its recommendations, the Board stated that the heroism displayed by Lieutenant Bogen, Sergeants Rogers and Dodd, in prosecuting their rescue work, despite the fact that the wrecked airplane was a mass of flames, reflects great credit upon them and measures up to the best traditions of the military service.

Today Fort Clark’s historic hangar suffers from significant neglect and could use some deliberate rehabilitation to return it to its glory days. Over the years the hangar has suffered extensive hail damage which has never been repaired. A professional preservation plan is the first step. Preservation grants are available. Opportunities for fund raising could consider ballooning events, fly-ins of historic aircraft, and glider competitions to name just a few. As noted for so many of our historic assets an application for designation as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark goes a long way to inspiring action.

1 The U.S. Army Air Service became the U.S. Army Air Corps in July 1926, which became the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1941, and the U.S. Air Force on 18 September 1947.

2 The Cheney Award is an aviation award presented by the United States Air Force in memory of 1st Lt. William H. Cheney, who was killed in an air collision over Foggia, Italy on January 20, 1918. It was established in 1927, and is awarded to an airman for an act of valor, extreme fortitude or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest, performed in connection with aircraft, but not necessarily of a military nature.

Monographs of Kinney County’s Architectural Heritage is written by Bill Haenn, FCHC Senior Historian. Fort Clark Heritage Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, established in 2023, to advocate for the preservation and protection of the architecture and other historic resources in the Fort Clark National Register Historic District for the benefit of the visiting public and future generations, providing for the advancement and strengthening of heritage tourism initiatives by growing recognition of and visitation to the Fort Clark Historic District and being committed to endorsing and promulgating the rich history of Fort Clark by expanding upon related educational and research efforts. Find this article and more online at KinneyCountyPost.com