Aurora’s Military Heritage
Since the very early years of this city, the military has been a big part of Aurora’s history. For almost 100 years,
Aurora is and has been home to countless of service men and women and their families. They are part of a rich
heritage that makes up our community. As we celebrate Veterans Day, let’s take time to honor those who have
served and are serving our country in the armed forces.
In 1918 during the beginning of Aurora’s first building boom, Army General Hospital #21 (re-named Fitzsimons Army
Hospital) was built east of town. Twenty years later, in 1938, Lowry Air Force Base was opened to the southwest of
town. Rather than closing Fitzsimons, the U.S. government expanded and upgraded the hospital facilities in 1941 just
in time to care for the wounded servicemen of World War II. Lowry expanded to a site 15 miles to the east in 1942
that eventually became Buckley Air National Guard Base and later Buckley Air Force Base. Learn more about the
history of the military in Aurora in this informative and entertaining video, “Aurora’s Military Heritage.”
More about Aurora’s History
Aurora History Museum