Kayden P.

Norco Navel Hospital

My Story

Like most people, I never had the chance to meet my great-grandparents, but I have always felt a special connection to them. Ever since I was little, I have been told stories about how I resemble my great-grandfather. Whether it is the fact that I share his love of ice cream and the ocean, or how when I was a toddler I unknowingly said his name while my family was talking about him. Throughout this project, I have gained new knowledge of them and the history of my family that I never knew existed.

Pre War

Before the Norco hospital was utilized in WWII and the Korean War, it was once a location for Hollywood stars' getaway weekends. In the early 1900s, a 700-acre resort called Lake Norconian Club was built in Corona California. The resort built for the rich and famous ones consisted of a pool, tennis courts, a golf course, a pond, and even a small private airport for the actors to fly into without catching the eye of the paparazzi.

Within the resort's five minutes of fame, it had many well-known visitors. In its time the Lake Norconian Club hosted A list celebrities ranging from child star Sherly Temple to Walt Disney; the creator of Mickey Mouse.

The Origional Hotel California

Before the Norco hospital was utilized in WWII and the Korean War, it was once a location for Hollywood stars' getaway weekends. In the early 1900s, a 700-acre resort called Lake Norconian Club was built in Corona California. The resort built for the rich and famous ones consisted of a pool, tennis courts, a golf course, a pond, and even a small private airport for the actors to fly into without catching the eye of the paparazzi.

Within the resort's five minutes of fame, it had many well-known visitors. In its time the Lake Norconian Club hosted A list celebrities ranging from child star Sherly Temple to Walt Disney; the creator of Mickey Mouse.

In October of 1929 the resort started going downhill during the stock market crash; leading to the resort going out of business without ever even making a profit. The resort was left unoccupied until 1941 when it was purchased by the government and turned into a naval hospital after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Timeline of Opporations

This property has been everything you can imagine, from a luxury resort to a naval hospital, and even a prison. In 1928 the land was occupied as a luxurious resort, but short-lived due to the stock market crash. After the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, it was bought by the United States military and developed into a naval hospital that went on to help heal thousands of American soldiers.

During the war In 1945 the hospital not only reached its peak capacity, but its peak in popularity. At one point it was occupied with over 5,000 injured soldiers. During that time it had many important visitors, such as Elenor Rosivelt and The Gray Lady’s. Then in 1949, the hospital closed down but only to open back up in 1951 during the Korean War.

Once again in 1957, the hospital was closed, but this time permanently. However, in 1962 half of the property was turned over to the state to be used as a prison now called the California Rehabilitation Center. The other side was left unused under the care of a Warden.

Hospital Guests

Even though the hospital does not exist today, during its time the Norco hospital had a great share of visitors. During WWII there was a group of women, a part of the Red Cross, that called themselves The Gray Ladies. They spent their time at hospitals doing everything from reading and shopping to comforting wounded soldiers. They were called The Gray Ladies because of the gray uniform they wore to stand out from the hospital staff.  

During WWII Eleanor Roosevelt wanted to be useful so she went around visiting naval hospitals, one of which in 1943 was the Norco Naval Hospital. As she visited hospitals she spent her time visiting injured soldiers and helping them to write letters home. During this time she tried everything she could do to help calm the nation, whether it was giving speeches on the radio or going and visiting the soldiers herself.

How My Grandparents Met

My great-grandfather always said that he stood up at the wrong time and that was the reason he was shot, but I think it was just the right time. It was the right time because if he had not stood up then and there then I wouldn’t be here today getting to write about how he and my great-grandmother met. During WWII my great-grandfather was in the Marines when he stood up and got shot in the chest; having the bullet go through his whole body and out his back. He was brought to many different hospitals, the last one being Norco Naval Hospital where my great-grandma was his dietetic nurse. 

Later in 1944 when the military was planning an invasion of Japan, my great-grandmother was supposed to go to the Philippines to help with the expected casualties. Neither she nor my great grandfather wanted her to go so she resigned her commission to get married. In 1947 they had their first of three kids together; my grandma.

How It All Worked Out

Even though the hospital is no longer in use, without it, my family and I would not be here today. From all the different uses of the property, I am happy to say that the hospital is my favorite one, even though I might be a little biased. Having never met my great-grandparents, this project allowed me to explore family history that I never would have known. And thanks to my new knowledge, the stories and information that I have learned will have the chance to live on for future generations.