14/03/2023
83 YEARS AGO
Landing Field, Legaspi, Albay, Philippine Islands
October 20, 1939
While researching for the old photos of Legazpi Airport, I found from an American Archives collection website this aerial photo of Legazpi dated October 20, 1939.
Shown in the photo are some of the significant landmarks in Legazpi City established during the American Period such as:
•Sanborn Field (today's Legazpi Airport)- opened in the early 1900's as the airstrip of US army in Albay.
•Regan Barracks (today's Camp Simeon Ola)- served as the United States Reservation & Pacification Camp in Southern Luzon during the early 20th century.
•Albay Provincial Hospital (today's Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center /formerly BRTTH)- officially inaugurated in 1928 as the first government hospital in Bicol Region, but started in 1918 as the army station hospital of Regan Barracks
•Albay Normal School (today's Bicol University College of Education)- established in 1921 as the first teacher education learning & training institution in Bicol.
•Albay Trade School (today's Bicol University College of Industrial Technology and the College of Engineering)- started as an industrial arts and vocational department of Albay High School.
•Manila Railroad Company track (today's Philippine National Railways)- extended to Legazpi, 1938, as the southernmost major terminus of railways in Luzon.
•Ligñon Hill- served as the site of leprosarium in Bicol during that time (1930s).
(from General Orders #1, March 1, 1934)
Flying field at Legaspi, Albay, Luzon, P.I. was designated as "Sanborn Field" in honor of 2nd Lt. Elwell A. Sanborn, A.C.- Died in an airplane accident June 21, 1932.
📸: USA. National Archives and Records Administration, War Department, Army Air Forces
