| Orote Peninsula and Naval Base Guam Part III |
| Quonset Huts Fading but familar structures to many Sailors, Marines, Airmen , and Soldiers |
As of July 2004, only two Quonset
Huts that date from 1944-45 are
left on Big Navy itself. Of the rest
of the 5000 arched tin structures
the Sea Bees and Marines threw
up in 1944 and 1945, only a few
concrete foundations remain.
Some of these are reused; others
are broken up and the land
reclaimed. To many WWII vets
who have corresponded with me,
the Quonset Hut is one of the most
vivid symbols to them of those
years in far away places. These
buildings were quick and cheap to
put up, and their rounded shape
made them very typhoon-proof as
the winds tended to roll right over
them.
Huts that date from 1944-45 are
left on Big Navy itself. Of the rest
of the 5000 arched tin structures
the Sea Bees and Marines threw
up in 1944 and 1945, only a few
concrete foundations remain.
Some of these are reused; others
are broken up and the land
reclaimed. To many WWII vets
who have corresponded with me,
the Quonset Hut is one of the most
vivid symbols to them of those
years in far away places. These
buildings were quick and cheap to
put up, and their rounded shape
made them very typhoon-proof as
the winds tended to roll right over
them.
(Above) The best-preserved 1945 Quonset Hut is this triple-arched structure
currently in use as the Navy Exchange's Auto Port. This structure is scheduled for
demonltion in late 2004 or early 2005. 24 Jul 2004.
currently in use as the Navy Exchange's Auto Port. This structure is scheduled for
demonltion in late 2004 or early 2005. 24 Jul 2004.
(Right) A more typical
example of the Quonset Hut is
the only other remaining
structure on Big Navy, Bldg.
1686. Located next to the
NOB Hill Amphitheater (see
below), this building is used as
storage by the Navy's Public
Works department. Bldg.
1686 is in very, very bad
shape and might not survive
another typhoon as there are
now numerous places where
the wind can grab and rib the
building's fabric. 23 Jul 2004.
example of the Quonset Hut is
the only other remaining
structure on Big Navy, Bldg.
1686. Located next to the
NOB Hill Amphitheater (see
below), this building is used as
storage by the Navy's Public
Works department. Bldg.
1686 is in very, very bad
shape and might not survive
another typhoon as there are
now numerous places where
the wind can grab and rib the
building's fabric. 23 Jul 2004.
(Above Right) The only sign left with the building's number.
This sign was likely affixed by a nameless Sea Bee in 1945
and repainted periodcically over the last 60 years. (Right)
The interior of Bldg. 1686 is a sad demonstration of the
decay of a neglected building in a tropical climate. (Above),
the western side of the buidling. 23 Jul 2004.
This sign was likely affixed by a nameless Sea Bee in 1945
and repainted periodcically over the last 60 years. (Right)
The interior of Bldg. 1686 is a sad demonstration of the
decay of a neglected building in a tropical climate. (Above),
the western side of the buidling. 23 Jul 2004.
(Above and Right) The ultimate fate of the
Quonset Huts on Guam. The foundation slabs of
Bldgs. 5407 (above) and 5408 (right) at the
Sumay Cover Marina. These two were only
demolished recently. 23 Jul 2004.
Quonset Huts on Guam. The foundation slabs of
Bldgs. 5407 (above) and 5408 (right) at the
Sumay Cover Marina. These two were only
demolished recently. 23 Jul 2004.
This photo was shot in 1945, and shows the numerous Quonset Huts the American
forces quickly erected after retaking the island. Photo courtesy of the Naval Base
Guam Museum.
forces quickly erected after retaking the island. Photo courtesy of the Naval Base
Guam Museum.
| NOB Hill Amphitheater Late-WWII center of recreation |
The NOB Hill Bowl Amphitheature
was built for the American forces by
Japanese POWS (just like the POW
steps). This 5000-seat outdoor movie
theater was used into the 1950's when
it was abandoned. The jungle over
grew it and it was lost to history. It
was rediscovered and cleared by the
Sea Bees in November of 1993.
The style of construction, like the
POW steps, was common in Japan in
the 1930's. The name "NOB Hill"
comes from the theater's proximity to
the Naval Operations Base.
1945 Photo courtesy of the Naval
Base Guam Museum.
was built for the American forces by
Japanese POWS (just like the POW
steps). This 5000-seat outdoor movie
theater was used into the 1950's when
it was abandoned. The jungle over
grew it and it was lost to history. It
was rediscovered and cleared by the
Sea Bees in November of 1993.
The style of construction, like the
POW steps, was common in Japan in
the 1930's. The name "NOB Hill"
comes from the theater's proximity to
the Naval Operations Base.
1945 Photo courtesy of the Naval
Base Guam Museum.
(Right and Above) Looking at the ruins
of the projectin booth and center-level
seating, most likely where senior
officers would relax. The rear terrace
walls are still there, but all the general
seating has long since disappeared.
23 Jul 04.
of the projectin booth and center-level
seating, most likely where senior
officers would relax. The rear terrace
walls are still there, but all the general
seating has long since disappeared.
23 Jul 04.
(Above) Two relics still remain next to each
other. The ruins of NOB Hill Theater and
Bldg. 1686. (Right) Highlighting the
location of the Projection Booth, Bldg. 1686,
the spot the above photo was shot, and the
modern historical marker. 23 Jul 04.
other. The ruins of NOB Hill Theater and
Bldg. 1686. (Right) Highlighting the
location of the Projection Booth, Bldg. 1686,
the spot the above photo was shot, and the
modern historical marker. 23 Jul 04.
