This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE

This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE.

An event happened in Klamath Falls some 65 years ago that greatly affected this area.

World War Two was still a two front war, and that in the Pacific was one of battling to oust the Japanese from their island bases. Marine officials were looking for a site for a hospital to treat the many marines injured in the conflict.

They initially looked at the possibility of locating such a hospital in Brisbane, Australia, but decided it was not proper for treatment of some of the diseases the marines had contracted.

It was 1943 and after a search mission they decided on a site located about three miles above Klamath Falls, and construction of such a hospital complex was initiated. It developed into a virtual campus with not only the facilities to treat the marines but also to help them recover in other ways.

It became also an important economic factor for Klamath Falls, and Semper Fi was to settle in the city.

Dick Baldwin who was one of those stationed at the Base wrote a description of the area for the Klamath Historical Society in 1984, He wrote: The Nave\y Marine site survey team chose a site three miles north of Klamath Falls on the Old Fort Road and purchased an 800 acre site. The government had appropriated 1.5 million dollars for construction the base at which personnel would be treated for malaria and filariasis. The base was to accommodate 3,000 personnel , but eventually wound up with over 5,000.

“There were two deck dormitories, a large sick bay, dispensary and a large mess hall. The site also included a bakery, laundry, heating plant and maintenance shops. Later would be added such recreation items as an Olympic sized swimming pool, a full sized gym. It also included a football field that was used for practice, most of their games were played on the high school field at Klamath Union.

Captain Lowell T. Coggeshall, USNR , MC, a tropical disease specialist led the medical detachment. They developed a therapy consisting of outdoor activity, indoor exercise, wholesome foods and psychological approaches. None of the men ever contracted the dreaded elephantiasis disease.

Opened in 1944 the base had its own newspaper, The Klamath News. The teams also competed with college teams such as Southern Oregon College and Willamette University.

“Up to May 15, 1945 the Barracks received 4,718 Marines with malaria, filariasis or both. Of this number 2;942 were transferred out to full duty.

The barracks closed on March 1, 1946.

When I came here in 1948 the campus was being fitted for returning veterans to learn various trades and was called OVS, Oregon Vocational School.

I had the privilege of broadcasting basketball games from their gymn and also doing their football games.

Many of the Marines treated there remained as permanent residents of Klamath Falls and have contributed greatly to our progress. The campus later became known as OTI, Oregon technical Institute, and today is a residential area.

In 1959 it was feared that the college would be moved to Portland, and a fund was raised to purchase the site that now is home to OIT, Oregon Institute of Technology. Today the school is a vital part of the community.

So what began 65 years ago as a Marine hospital three miles above the city is now an expanding college that is accredited as one of the best in the state.

This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.

$Text Box: This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE. An event happened in Klamath Falls some 65 years ago that greatly affected this area. World War Two was still a two front war, and that in the Pacific was one of battling to oust the Japanese from their island bases. Marine officials were looking for a site for a hospital to treat the many marines injured in the conflict. They initially looked at the possibility of locating such a hospital in Brisbane, Australia, but decided it was not proper for treatment of some of the diseases the marines had contracted. It was 1943 and after a search mission they decided on a site located about three miles above Klamath Falls, and construction of such a hospital complex was initiated. It developed into a virtual campus with not only the facilities to treat the marines but also to help them recover in other ways. It became also an important economic factor for Klamath Falls, and Semper Fi was to settle in the city. Dick Baldwin who was one of those stationed at the Base wrote a description of the area for the Klamath Historical Society in 1984, He wrote: The Nave\y Marine site survey team chose a site three miles north of Klamath Falls on the Old Fort Road and purchased an 800 acre site. The government had appropriated 1.5 million dollars for construction the base at which personnel would be treated for malaria and filariasis. The base was to accommodate 3,000 personnel , but eventually wound up with over 5,000. “There were two deck dormitories, a large sick bay, dispensary and a large mess hall. The site also included a bakery, laundry, heating plant and maintenance shops. Later would be added such recreation items as an Olympic sized swimming pool, a full sized gym. It also included a football field that was used for practice, most of their games were played on the high school field at Klamath Union. Captain Lowell T. Coggeshall, USNR , MC, a tropical disease specialist led the medical detachment. They developed a therapy consisting of outdoor activity, indoor exercise, wholesome foods and psychological approaches. None of the men ever contracted the dreaded elephantiasis disease. Opened in 1944 the base had its own newspaper, The Klamath News. The teams also competed with college teams such as Southern Oregon College and Willamette University. “Up to May 15, 1945 the Barracks received 4,718 Marines with malaria, filariasis or both. Of this number 2;942 were transferred out to full duty. The barracks closed on March 1, 1946. When I came here in 1948 the campus was being fitted for returning veterans to learn various trades and was called OVS, Oregon Vocational School. I had the privilege of broadcasting basketball games from their gymn and also doing their football games. Many of the Marines treated there remained as permanent residents of Klamath Falls and have contributed greatly to our progress. The campus later became known as OTI, Oregon technical Institute, and today is a residential area. In 1959 it was feared that the college would be moved to Portland, and a fund was raised to purchase the site that now is home to OIT, Oregon Institute of Technology. Today the school is a vital part of the community. So what began 65 years ago as a Marine hospital three miles above the city is now an expanding college that is accredited as one of the best in the state. This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.$