Randolph AFB’s historic district, a National Historic Landmark, takes in 341 buildings
Among the most historic 1% of U.S. towns. What drives it
2 places in town are on the National Register, among them the Randolph Field Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, and a historic district with 341 buildings. Below: maps from 1953 on.
Randolph AFB was named after Captain William Millican Randolph, a native of Austin, who was on the base naming committee at the time of his death in a crash.
How historic is Randolph AFB?
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Among the most historic 1% of U.S. towns, on its age, its old homes and the National Register.
On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Randolph AFB is among the most historic 1% of U.S. towns. All 2 inputs put Randolph AFB near the top nationally; its share of homes from before 1940 ranks highest.
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HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Randolph AFB’s overall grade.
Few Texas towns list much on the Register (a typical Texas town has 0.0 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Randolph AFB’s 2,758 sits above most of its state (100% of Texas towns have fewer) while its 342 historic buildings outnumber those of 96% of U.S. towns.
How sure. Graded on two of the three inputs, so a change in either one moves the letter more than it would with three. The pre-1940 share is a Census survey estimate (±10.6 points).
Founding year: our sources. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →
What stands out about Randolph AFB’s past
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
The idea for Randolph began soon after passage in the United States Congress of the Air Corps Act of 1926, which changed the name of the Army Air Service to the Army Air Corps, created two new brigadier general positions and provided a five-year expansion program for the under-strength Air Corps. One of the new general officer positions was given to Frank P. Lahm, who was placed in charge of all flying training.
Randolph AFB is among the most historic 1% of U.S. towns. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
What is on the National Register in Randolph AFB?
Two places: the Randolph Field Historic District (listed 1996) and the Base Administration Building (1987).
How old are the homes in Randolph AFB?
79% of Randolph AFB’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±10.6 points), against a typical 1.6% for a Texas town; the median home was built in 1938.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).
From Wikidata (1), the National Register of Historic Places (2), Wikipedia and U.S. Geological Survey historical maps. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
★ Landmark
