Camp McQuaide
Encyclopedia
Camp McQuaide is a former United States Army
camp located near the city of Watsonville
in Santa Cruz County
, California
, USA
. After it was closed, it redeveloped into the Monterey Bay Academy
and the airfield was reopened as the Monterey Bay Academy Airport
.
, to an area just east of the town of Capitola
. Its camp was named for Major Joseph P. McQuaide, who was born in 1867 and graduated from Santa Clara University
. He served as Chaplain of the California National Guard
in the Spanish American War and World War I
, and died March 29, 1924. By 1938, noise from target practice annoyed Capitola residents, so a more remote place was found. 379 acres (1.5 km²) were purchased farther south, on coastal farmland near the town of Watsonville. The Works Progress Administration
built San Andreas road to the new site.
A small aircraft landing strip was built so airplanes could drop targets into the ocean. It became the training center of what was then the 250th artillery regiment. In September 1940, the regiment was called up to duty in Alaska
. During World War II
it returned for training in 1944, and then was deployed in Italy
. The camp was used as a stockade
for army deserters
.
After the end of the war, in 1948, it was converted to the private boarding school Monterey Bay Academy
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
camp located near the city of Watsonville
Watsonville, California
Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 51,199 according to the 2010 census.Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host...
in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County, California
Santa Cruz County is a county located on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California, on the California Central Coast. The county forms the northern coast of the Monterey Bay. . As of the 2010 U.S. Census, its population was 262,382. The county seat is Santa Cruz...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. After it was closed, it redeveloped into the Monterey Bay Academy
Monterey Bay Academy
- Description:Monterey Bay Academy is located on about south of Santa Cruz, California, on the edge of the community of La Selva Beach between Manresa State Beach to the north, and Sunset State Beach to the south. The campus is directly on a beach on central California’s Monterey Bay, which is...
and the airfield was reopened as the Monterey Bay Academy Airport
Monterey Bay Academy Airport
Monterey Bay Academy Airport is located near the city of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, California, USA. This private use airport is owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and located on the campus of the Monterey Bay Academy, site of the former Camp McQuaide.-History:In the 1940s, a small...
.
History
In 1926, the 63rd Coastal Artillery Regiment moved from Santa Cruz, CaliforniaSanta Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...
, to an area just east of the town of Capitola
Capitola, California
Capitola is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States, on the coast of Monterey Bay. The population was 9,918 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. Its camp was named for Major Joseph P. McQuaide, who was born in 1867 and graduated from Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University is a private, not-for-profit, Jesuit-affiliated university located in Santa Clara, California, United States. Chartered by the state of California and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, it operates in collaboration with the Society of Jesus , whose...
. He served as Chaplain of the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
in the Spanish American War and World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and died March 29, 1924. By 1938, noise from target practice annoyed Capitola residents, so a more remote place was found. 379 acres (1.5 km²) were purchased farther south, on coastal farmland near the town of Watsonville. The Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
built San Andreas road to the new site.
A small aircraft landing strip was built so airplanes could drop targets into the ocean. It became the training center of what was then the 250th artillery regiment. In September 1940, the regiment was called up to duty in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
it returned for training in 1944, and then was deployed in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The camp was used as a stockade
Stockade
A stockade is an enclosure of palisades and tall walls made of logs placed side by side vertically with the tops sharpened to provide security.-Stockade as a security fence:...
for army deserters
Desertion
In military terminology, desertion is the abandonment of a "duty" or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning...
.
After the end of the war, in 1948, it was converted to the private boarding school Monterey Bay Academy
Monterey Bay Academy
- Description:Monterey Bay Academy is located on about south of Santa Cruz, California, on the edge of the community of La Selva Beach between Manresa State Beach to the north, and Sunset State Beach to the south. The campus is directly on a beach on central California’s Monterey Bay, which is...
.