World War II Naval Construction Batallion Center-- Oxnard, Ca.

This has been the home for the military group called Seebees since World War II. The word Seebees comes from the words construction battalion. They were established May 18, 1942. During World War II, the Seebees were responsible for shipping 20 million tons of supplies and 200,000 men in the Pacific Theater.

A new $12 million 33,000 square-foot museum is planned to replace a run-down World War II-era building. It will be the main repository of Seebee operational information and artifacts.

During World War II, the Seebees built airfields, bridges, roads, gasoline storage tanks, warehouses, hospitals and housing.

The base at Oxnard was where over 100,000 Seebees trained during the war.

In May 2007, another World War II structure on base was rehabbed into sleeping quarters.

In August 2009, groundbreaking was held for the new museum which will be located outside the base for easier public access in these War on terrorism days. It is expected to open in the spring of 2011.

And this story grew out of a post on the Wagon Wheel Motel in Oxnard, California from April 17th.

Something Else to See.

While On the Subject of Oxnard, California

While looking at the article about the Wagon Wheel Motel, I noticed that Bud Smith started his motel with surplus barracks from the Port Hueneme Naval Base. I'd never heard of it, so did the old Wiki thing and found out this base is still there and is the main base for the US Navy Construction Battalion, better known as the Seebees (which comes from the initials for construction battalion, I didn't know that).

During World War II, over 100,000 Seebees trained here after the base was established on May 18, 1942. Over 20 million tons of supplies and 200,000 men shipped out of here for action in the Pacific Theater.

This is also where the Seebee Museum is located. Groundbreaking was held last August for a new $12 million, 33,000 square foot museum to replace a run-down World War II building. Significantly, the new museum will be just outside the base for easier public access.

Something else to see in Oxnard.

Fightin' Seebees!! Right John Wayne. --RoadDog

Wagon Wheel Motel and Restaurant

From the March 10, 2009, Ventura County Star.

When I first came across this article, I thought it was about Route 66's Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri, but this one was about a famous one in Oxnard, California.

This is a famous complex which also includes a bowling alley that is in serious danger of being destroyed. It is located at the intersection of US-101 and the Pacific Coast Highway and was a very popular stop for motorists traveling between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara from the 50s to 70s before closing in 2005.

Back in 2009, a suit had been filed by the Santa Bueana Ventura Conservancy versus the City of Oxnard to stop the demolition scheduled at the time. Evidently, it has succeeded because as of right now, the structures are still standing but a final decision is expected this summer.

A $750 million European-village themed development is planned for the site.

Martin "Bud" V. Smith started it in 1946 with three World War II surplus military barracks from the Port Hueneme Naval Base.

Here's Hoping the Wagon Wheel Remains with Us. --RoadDog