Ft. Sheridan: American Red Cross Administration Building and Residence of the Field Director - 1 JUL 1965 (Built in 1942 and Dismantled in 1965)

In the early 1940’s The American Red Cross constructed administration buildings at major military installations around the country for their Military Welfare Service. The service name was later changed to Service at Military Installations (SMI) and finally to Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) – the name currently in use. While there were several different designs, the design represented in the Fort Sheridan building was unusual.

Most of the buildings had wings extending from the center section to the left and the right.. My posting of the Fort Sam Houston, TX building shows the most popular design with the two wings.

The center section and one wing housed the offices and training rooms, and the opposite wing housed the residence for the Field Director. 2 or 3-car garages were constructed behind the main building for supplies and the staff cars.

The curvature of the land at the Fort Sheridan site required a design change with one long wing extending out from the back of the main section. The main section and a portion of the wing housed the offices and training rooms. The back part of the wing housed the residence of the Field Director. The 2-car garage was located behind the wing (out of sight - on the extreme right in this photo).