Join us on July 10th at Lake Forest City Hall for an event commemorating the legacy of the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro and its profound impact on our city.
This free event is open to the public and will feature heartfelt memories and inspiring stories from the men and women who dedicated themselves to the base.
The Legacy of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro (MCAS El Toro) was born in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, on nearly 5,000 acres of lima bean fields the government bought from farmer James Irvine for $100,000. The population of Orange County at the time – 1943 – was about 150,000.
The base got its name from the small community next door – now Lake Forest. The community and county grew as the base grew. MCAS El Toro drew Marines and their families from throughout the United States as El Toro-based fighter planes – first propeller-driven, then jets -- battled in the skies during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and more.
The El Toro "Flying Bull" patch was designed by Walt Disney Studios in 1944. Air Force 1 used the base to ferry Presidents. The Black Sheep Squadron, made famous (or infamous) by Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, founder of the famed Black Sheep Squadron, was based at El Toro after the Korean Conflict. Robert Conrad, who played Boyington on television, was stationed at MCAS El Toro, as was actor Tyrone Powers, future astronaut and senator John Glenn and baseball legend Ted Williams. A local favorite was the MCAS El Toro Air Show, which took place annually from the 1950s until 1997. It regularly featured the Blue Angels and drew hundreds of thousands to the base.
Many former Marines called Lake Forest home when the City incorporated in 1991. Even after its closure on July 2, 1999, the base continued to shape Lake Forest. Property owners whose land was set for commercial or industrial projects because it was in former flight paths asked the City to change their zoning to allow homes. After more than two dozen community meetings, seven new communities were approved. The changes ultimately generated development fees to pay for new roads, the Sports Park and Recreation Center, and Civic Center complex.
“The closure of Marine Corps Air Station El Toro has had a lasting impact on Orange County and the City of Lake Forest,” said Chris Epting, an OC historian who wrote about the base in his book, Lost Landmarks of Orange County. “While the base played a significant role in the region during its operation, its closure presented both challenges and opportunities for the area that continue to shape the landscape and community to this day.”
Resident Quotes
Memories of the base.
Dave Stephen
You could always tell when someone was from out of town because they would try to talk over the jet's locals stopped mid-sentence and continued once the jets flew by.
Kelly Turbevill
Cooks Corner on Friday nights was so fun when the marine base was there
Colleen Caldwell
I moved here in 1987. My house was in the flight path but I knew that when I bought my house. I was happy and proud to live close to the base honestly, even with the noise. But I swear that my phone line was directly tied to the control tower. As soon as I got on the phone there was an order for take off. 🤣 I love LF.
Dott Custis Schroeder
Happened to be at the right place at the right time. In the early 90s, I was driving on Barranca and, as I nearing the end of the runway, I saw Air Force 1 landing. It was so beautiful and so close, almost as if I could reach up and touch it. It was truly a breathtaking and memorable sight.
Cathy Boisvert-Larkin
I remember being able to see the Blue Angel Pilots' faces when they flew over our condos deck during the air show!
Vince Neale
My wife and I 8-month-old baby moved from Florida to a new home across from the Denton Trabuco in Dec 1981. Our baby was a very light sleeper so noise was a real issue! We heard what we thought were explosions coming from the base so I phoned up. I asked the Marine who answered ‘Why are you guys shooting off guns on a Saturday night?’ He laughed and explained that the noise was coming from the cars at the drag strip along the 5 Freeway!
Willy Jardine
I flew out of El Toro to Nam 1967. And later raced at OCIR.
Kevin J Maag
I miss the golf course. I learned to play there and at Lake Forest.
Linda Pickle
I was in the USO and would make posters to announce dances given by us for their personnel to attend at the DAV hall in Santa Ana. This was in the early 70s. Went there many times and later married a Marine who worked on the Phantom jets.
Michelle Margolis
I absolutely miss the jets flying over, the air shows and rushing to see my Air Force big brother flying in on occasion from when he was stationed in Arizona.
I miss the feeling of safety knowing the Marines were always close by if anything terrible in the world happened.
“I miss the smell of the orange groves on the way to the base with my Dad”.
I believe our little piece of the world was a better place back then, even though it’s always been & always will be “Home” to me no matter where I’ve lived and wherever I may go in the future... for now Foothill Ranch is my home and I love living here!
DavidPeavy
My parents were married in the chapel pictured in video. In 1960 we moved into Wherry Housing as he was once more stationed there.
I served mass there as a 4-8th grader.
Interesting side note. The chapel had a rotating altar. It could accommodate Catholic, Protestant and Jewish faiths for their services.
I got to pull the locking pins and spin the turntable to the proper altar.
Doug E.
Truly miss that place.
I was in the Naval Airwing as ground support and definitely enjoyed having the base as reminder. Went to almost every air show.
I even delivered screens for the military housing back in the 60’s for my Dads screen shop.
Sad to see it gone!!!
