Navy Park Historic District |
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State and National Historic District |
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Significant WWII Housing for Shipyard Workers |
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Orange, Texas |
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| Description of Navy Park (also known as Navy Addition) | |||||
The USS Aulick, launched on March 2, 1942, was the first combatant warship built for the U. S. Navy on the entire gulf coast. A historical marker has been obtained for the launching of the USS Aulick – a profound event which turned around the total economy of Orange. The launching of the USS Aulick was the first concrete proof that ships would be built in Orange. Prior to its launching, Orange was an agricultural and timber town. Thereafter, it became an industrial / chemical complex, with DuPont (in 1944) recognizing its potential as a town filled with skilled laborers. A total of 39 Destroyers were built in Orange, along with approximately 100 Destroyer Escorts, and other smaller ships during World War II. Only one of the first twelve Destroyers were sunk in action, the William D. Porter. It was struck by a Kamikaze plane, and fortunately every person escaped. To this day, Orange remains the only Texas city to have constructed Destroyers (Destroyer Escorts were built in Houston, Texas). In 1944, DuPont was only the first of many to recognize Orange’s potential. After the war, Orange had a surplus of skilled workers, thans to the training for the war effort. DuPont and other chemical companies settled in Orange and are now referred to as “Chemical Row”. The Navy Addition houses were a part of the very beginning of Orange’s World War II history. They were greatly needed throughout the war, and until the naval station phased out in 1962. The houses are of good construction, fire resistant, and provide housing for many families today. They are a part of our local, state, and national history. Navy Addition still retains its significance as one of the first World War II housing units in the United States, (and the very first one in Orange), and were the homes of the U. S. Navy war combatant shipbuilders. The homes are also significant in that the U. S. Navy authorized and funded the building of these homes to house primarily civilian workers involved in the war effort (The number of Naval personnel in Orange was small when the houses were built). The homes are eligible for the NRHP under Criteria A and C. |
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| References Major Bibliographical References Newspapers and Directories 1997 Interviews Photograph Log Map Log and Floorplans |
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Description: Pages 1-3 Significance: Pages 3-7 References: Pages 8- 12 |
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