Gordon
September 25th 03, 06:05 PM
I have heard local rumors that the Mercury Seven astronauts trained at a
facility here in San Diego and would like to investigate it. As the story
goes, during WWII a school was built on Point Loma for families stationed at
the Naval base there. Sometime in the late 40s-1950s, the housing was closed
and the school became surplus. Nothing is known about the interim period, but
a woman that worked at it after it was turned over to the public school system
remembers a persistant rumor that during the break in it being used as a
school, the building was used by the government for rocketry experiments. The
highlight of the little facility's history is that it supposedly was in use
during the hayday of American capsule flights and that John Glenn, Scott
Carpenter, and the rest of the first group all trained there, but in what
capacity, no one recalls. Does anyone have an idea who I could approach to ask
about this admittedly obscure topic..? I have already sent a letter to Senator
Glenn and Nasa, and am working with the local historical society as well.
Any help would be appreciated. The old building is located on Barnard Street
in Point Loma, California - not exactly the kind of place you'd expect to find
astronauts.
v/r
Gordon
<====(A+C====>
USN SAR Aircrew
"Got anything on your radar, SENSO?"
"Nothing but my forehead, sir."
facility here in San Diego and would like to investigate it. As the story
goes, during WWII a school was built on Point Loma for families stationed at
the Naval base there. Sometime in the late 40s-1950s, the housing was closed
and the school became surplus. Nothing is known about the interim period, but
a woman that worked at it after it was turned over to the public school system
remembers a persistant rumor that during the break in it being used as a
school, the building was used by the government for rocketry experiments. The
highlight of the little facility's history is that it supposedly was in use
during the hayday of American capsule flights and that John Glenn, Scott
Carpenter, and the rest of the first group all trained there, but in what
capacity, no one recalls. Does anyone have an idea who I could approach to ask
about this admittedly obscure topic..? I have already sent a letter to Senator
Glenn and Nasa, and am working with the local historical society as well.
Any help would be appreciated. The old building is located on Barnard Street
in Point Loma, California - not exactly the kind of place you'd expect to find
astronauts.
v/r
Gordon
<====(A+C====>
USN SAR Aircrew
"Got anything on your radar, SENSO?"
"Nothing but my forehead, sir."