Fort Hunter Liggett and King City marked their decades-long military partnership on Sept. 18, 2026, by hosting a historic walking tour that drew nearly 30 attendees, including soldiers, community members, and local historians. The event traced the region’s World War II roots and its transformation into a hub for service members training at nearby military installations.
World War II Roots in the Salinas Valley
Fort Hunter Liggett’s connection to King City stretches back to the early 1940s. According to historical records provided by U.S. Army Fort Hunter Liggett, the War Department purchased over 200,000 acres of local ranch lands in 1940 to prepare troops for combat on European fronts. Originally designated as the Hunter Liggett Military Reservation in 1941, the base was named after Lieutenant General Hunter Liggett, who commanded the First Corps of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I and served as Chief of Staff to General John Pershing.
As soldiers poured into the Salinas Valley, the agricultural town of King City evolved into a hub for business and entertainment. Troops stationed at the Mesa Del Rey flight school—where thousands of Army Air Corps cadets received flight training—and surrounding camps utilized the town to escape the isolation of military training.
The 2026 King City Military History Tour
Volunteer historians John and Karen Jernigan led the Sept. 18 walking tour through seven historic downtown landmarks. Dressed as railroad conductors, the couple displayed historic black-and-white photographs at each stop to illustrate how the town appeared during the early 1940s. Attendees included personnel from Fort Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts.
John Jernigan noted that the proximity of the military base has shaped the local community for generations. “The nearness of Fort Hunter Liggett to King City has meant that military personnel have enriched our community by their presence for many years,” Jernigan said. “Being able to share stories and connections while walking downtown is what the King City History Center is all about.”
Community Collaboration and Anniversary Events
The Association of the U.S. Army Master Sgt. Leroy A. Petry Chapter was the inaugural tour architect. Chapter President Amy Phillips designed the tour program, secured a welcome message from the King City mayor, and coordinated with local entities including County San Lorenzo Park, Tacos La Potranca de Jalisco, and VFW Post 6747 to supply food and beverages for participants.
Phillips stated that the event “perfectly advances AUSA’s core mission to Inform, Educate and Connect Soldiers and the community.”
The tour served as one of several public events commemorating Fort Hunter Liggett’s year-long 85th anniversary. The installation’s official milestones include its 1975 redesignation as Fort Hunter Liggett Military Installation and its 1993 transition under the United States Army Reserve Command. Today, the approximately 165,000-acre installation continues to support active and reserve component field maneuvers, live-fire exercises, and defense technology testing.
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