WARREN G. MAGNUSON PARK
History - Post-War Period

Figure 7: Oblique view to the west, dated May 1953 (PDF)

• Post-1945, constructed enlisted men's bathhouse, Building 311 (now picnic shelter 1)
• 1947, rumors that NAS Seattle to be closed due to creation of U.S. Air Force
• September 1950, base scheduled for deactivation, delayed to Korean War
• 1950s, Area Development Plan (dated, November 1953) shows that field lighting was installed and removed for each football season at the south end of the current Sand Point Fields. At the north end of these fields, there was a softball and baseball diamond.
• 1950, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established a research laboratory in surplus Navy buildings south of NE 65th Street, east of 65th Avenue NE
• 1952, the Navy closed the base except for Naval Reserve activities
• 1953, Master Shore Development Plan for NAS Seattle estimated plant value at $70 million, station size at 450.31 acres
• Late 1950s, rumors of stationing jet aircraft a NAS Seattle, would need extension of runways and construction of jet fuel storage
• 1963, station size at 494.68 acres, Shearwater Housing
• 1966, station population included 482 active duty, 1,471 reserve naval personnel, 318 civilians
• 1967, relocation of Coast Guard Air Station from Port Angeles.
• 1969, the main airstrip was resurfaced and extended from the southeast to northwest shore, a length of 4,800 feet (estimated cost $500,000).

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