February 12, 2012
The beginnings of a news magazine 0
South Base is Norman, Oklahoma’s monthly news magazine, which tells the stories of our community that often overlooked by traditional media.
Our goal is to provide our readers with an insightful view of the citizens of this college community, as well as the local issues, culture and events that make our city unique. Our writers proudly call Norman their home town, and their reporting reflects that dedication.
The goal is this: as time passes and our writing progresses we will have built an anthology of the stories of Norman for the next generation.
Why the name South Base? Anyone older than 40 has some recollection of the World War II-era Norman Naval Air Station (U.S. Naval Training and Technical Center) or its abandoned buildings — what became known as South Base (and which was established in conjunction with the the NAS pilot training center at North Base, now Westheimer airport).
Navy men and women and Marines from all over the country came to Norman beginning in 1942 to train in aircraft engineering and maintenance for the war effort. It marked a change in Norman from a quiet college town to an ever growing suburban locale in the greater metro area.
But it is also personal. South Base was where many of us learned to swim — in that former Navy swimming pool which was located near the current National Weather Center, or played basketball as kids at the monstrous Reaves Park Rec Gym that had been part of the Navy base. The World War II memorial at Reaves Park sits where that gym once stood.
South Base is symbolic of where Norman has been. And, it represents where our community is going.
We are open to suggestions that further expand this collection of stories. Readers are encouraged to go to our contact page and email us their thoughts, ideas or contributions. — Mike Duncan, editor
First WAVES graduates of the metalsmith school at Norman Naval Air Station, July 19, 1943.
