Fort Hunter Liggett and a Community Shaped by Service
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, JOLON, CALIF. – Fort Hunter Liggett’s relationship with the neighboring town of King City dates back to the early 1940s, when the War Department purchased land to prepare Soldiers for combat during World War II. As Soldiers arrived in King City to train at Mesa Del Rey flight school and FHL, the city became a hub for business and entertainment for service members, families, and community members throughout the region.
The small farming town, known for its agricultural roots, became a place where Soldiers and civilians could break away from the isolation of military training and enjoy the entertainment and businesses by the growing city.
On Sept. 18, 2026, volunteer historians and longtime King City residents John and Karen Jernigan led a group of nearly 30 attendees, including Soldiers from Fort Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts and members of the King City community, on a walking tour highlighting the city’s rich military history.
Adding to the nostalgia, the Jernigan’s, dressed as railroad conductors, held up historic black-and-white photos at each stop, showing familiar King City landmarks as they appeared in the early 1940s.
Jernigan said events like the military history tour provide an opportunity to share King City’s history with today’s military community.
“The nearness of Fort Hunter Liggett to King City has meant that military personnel have enriched our community by their presence for many years,” Jernigan said. “Being able to share stories and connections while walking downtown is what the King City History Center is all about.”
The inaugural tour architect was the Association of the U.S. Army, Master Sgt. Leroy A. Petry Chapter. Amy Phillips, the chapter president said the tour “perfectly advances AUSA’s core mission to Inform, Educate and Connect Soldiers and the community.”
She designed the tour program, coordinated a welcome message from the King City mayor, and partnered with the County San Lorenzo Park, Tacos La Potranca de Jalisco, and the VFW Post 6747 to provide food and beverages for the event.
The King City Military History Tour is one of several events marking Fort Hunter Liggett’s year-long 85th anniversary celebration. The 85th Anniversary Open House welcomed more than 600 members of the public to FHL. Events like these give FHL and its surrounding communities opportunities to come together and strengthen relationships built over generations.
The history tour focused on the city’s early ties to service members during World War II and how they shaped the King City community in the 1940s.
The tour consisted of seven stops, beginning at the King City Visitor and History Center and ending at Mesa Del Rey Airport. One stop was the United Service Organizations (USO) Club on Vanderhurst Avenue, which now houses several businesses. The club was dedicated in 1941 and offered a place for Soldiers to unwind. The USO offered dancing, entertainment, and opportunities to socialize, providing a welcome break from training and boosting morale.
At Broadway and Second streets, the tour stopped by two historic buildings once known as the “Twin Bank Corner.” One of the buildings housed Bank of America during World War II, and Soldiers inundated the bank during payday. This moment is preserved in a historic photograph still displayed inside the building today.
The tour paused for lunch at San Lorenzo Park, where King City Mayor Mike LeBarre joined Soldiers and community members.
“I’m so glad you all took the time to walk our town,” LeBarre said. “Always know that you are our neighbors, and we love our military community here in the city.”
At Mesa Del Rey Airport, the tour's final stop, attendees learned about the thousands of Army Air Corps cadets who came to King City for flight training during World War II. From 1941 to 1945, 10,000 cadets trained at the flight school.
Located alongside the Southern Pacific Railroad, Mesa Del Rey was accessible to cadets arriving from across the country.
“Understanding the history we share with King City gives our Soldiers a greater appreciation for the community that has supported Fort Hunter Liggett for generations,” said Col. Jason McKenzie, Fort Hunter Liggett garrison commander. “We value that relationship, and we’ll continue to cultivate it.”
More than 85 years after Soldiers first arrived to train in the region, Fort Hunter Liggett and King City remain connected by the Soldiers, families, and community members who live, work, and come together throughout the area.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
