Camp Haan Army Base is a former U.S. Army installation in Riverside, California. The site is currently home to the Riverside National Cemetery and the General Old Golf Course.
Riverside is the 12th most populated city in California. The area is rich in history, as it is the birthplace of the California citrus industry and home to the "Mission Inn" (the largest Mission Revival Style building in the U.S.).
Camp Haan is around 60 miles east of Los Angeles, 85 miles north of San Diego, and less than 100 miles from the Mexican border. The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Diego International Airport (SAN) provide flights from around the world to connect you to the base.
The climate of the Riverside area is what you'd expect for Southern California - sunny and hot all year. The average high never drops below 70°. Perception amounts are usually around 10 inches yearly.
Quick Facts
| Coordinates | 33° 52' 17.06" N 117° 15' 58.14" W |
|---|---|
| City | Riverside, CA 92571 |
| Phone | — |
| DSN | — |
History
In 1940, a training base for anti aircraft artillery units was created in southeast Riverside. The 8,000 acre base was constructed across the street from the March Air Base.
The camp was named after Major General William George Haan. Haan was a senior military officer, serving as a commander during World War I. Over the years, he also served in Cuba, the Philippines, and Panama. Haan is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
Following construction, Camp Haan had 352 temporary buildings, 2,459 tent platforms, six exchanges and five chapels. The base was used heavily during World War II and was made an Army Service Depot in 1942. Hundreds of German and Italian prisoners-of-war were incarcerated at Camp Haan. A war hospital was also constructed on base, providing aid for those injured while fighting in the Pacific.
After housing over 80,000 people, Camp Haan closed following World War II. Much of the property on the camp was sold or transferred to the March Air Base. The rest was converted to the Riverside National Cemetery and the General Old Golf Course.
Current Activities
Riverside National Cemetery
The Riverside National Cemetery spans over 900 acres and is dedicated to the interment of United States military personnel. It is the third largest cemetery operated by the National Cemetery Administration. Since 2000, the cemetery has been the most active in the NCA based on the number of burials.
Construction of the RNC began in 1976, using land acquired from the deactivated Camp Haan. The cemetery opened on Veterans' Day in 1978.
RNC is home of the Medal of Honor Memorial, one of only four sites that officially honors those who received the National Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor Memorial, whose walls feature the names of all medal recipients, was opened to the public in the winter of 1999.
The Fallen Soldier/Veterans' Memorial is dedicated to all service members who gave their life for their country. The memorial opened in 2000.
The Prisoner of War and/or Missing in Action National Memorial was was opened on September 16, 2005. Vietnam veteran Lewis Lee Millett, Jr., sculpted the statue demonstrated on the memorial. It depicts an American soldier on his knees with hands bound by his captors.
The cemetery is open daily from 8am to sunset. The phone number is (951) 653-8417 and address is 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518.
General Old Golf Course
The General Old Course is open 7 days a week. Instruction, event hosting, and membership options are available. The official phone number is (951) 697-6690 and address is 16700 Village W Dr, March Air Reserve Base, CA 92518. Visit the official website for more information.