History of the Pine Trees
History
A huge thank you to the PTRA team for their outstanding work in documenting and preserving the history of the estate. Their time, care, and commitment to capturing our shared heritage is something we can all be grateful for.
Following World War II, the property of RAF Daws Hill in High Wycombe, located some 32 miles just west of London, was left vacant and for several years its future development unknown. It wasn't until around 2013 or so that the property was finally sold and the township agreed upon its development into an upscale residential (with some commercial) area.
On January 8, 2014, Tamara (Tammy) Palmer and Sean Kelly, alumni of US London Central High School, learned of the site's new owner and his plans. She wrote to the High Wycombe City Council expressing her interest on behalf of the LCHS alumni, staff, and faculty to preserve, if possible, the history of the school's 36-year occupancy with some sort of monument—perhaps a park statue, a bench with a plaque—anything that would secure our legacy. With the help of Sean Kelly, who has remained in England and whose mother was one of our longtime and treasured faculty members, Martha Gail Kelly (and who also is living in England), the two remained in constant contact with the City and developer—Tammy being the brains and Sean doing the onsite legwork.
Road Names
Streets names for the "Pine Trees" development:
- KENNEDY AVENUE
- ARIZONA WAY
- CALIFORNIA WAY
- UTAH WAY
- LEIGH PLACE
- DEYOUNG WAY
- EAKER STREET
- DOOLITTLE AVENUE
- ROBERTSON PLACE
- MANSFIELD CLOSE
- TRINITY CIRCLE
- KELLY ROAD
- THRELKELD CLOSE
- KILTY PLACE
- WERNETTE WAY
- EISENHOWER LOWER CLOSE
- BEECH STREET
- BOBCAT PARK
Source:https://www.facebook.com/AOSHSArchive/posts/1221170847972001/
Original Estate
Named after: Code name of the HQ of Eigth Air Force Bomber Command
High Wycome known as Daws Hill was the Headquarters of Eighth Air Force Bomber Command (Pinetree). Situated on land and in a house formerly occupied by Wycombe Abbey School and restored to them by the US on 9 May 1946.
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/place/high-wycombe
Tammy's initial idea
The idea to recognise the educational legacy of the site originated with Tamara (“Tammy”) Palmer, a former student of London Central High School. Through her efforts, the contribution of educators and the school community became part of the wider heritage reflected in the redevelopment of the Pine Trees estate.
The Pine Trees estate in High Wycombe is located on the former site of RAF Daws Hill, a historically significant military base that played an important role during the Second World War and the Cold War.
Established in 1942, the site served as the headquarters for the United States Army Air Forces’ Eighth Air Force Bomber Command during WWII. In later years, it continued to operate as a key Cold War base, later transferring to United States Navy use, before closing in 2007 as part of the wider drawdown of US military operations in the UK.
Alongside its military role, the site was home to London Central High School (LCHS) from 1971 until the base’s closure. The school provided education for American military dependants and civilian families living overseas and formed a lasting connection between the United States military community and the town of High Wycombe.
Today, the former base has been transformed into the Pine Trees residential estate, comprising over 400 new homes set within landscaped surroundings. As part of the redevelopment, street names, a building name, and a park name were carefully chosen to reflect the site’s military history and the educational legacy of London Central High School. These names honour both British and American figures connected to the site, as well as educators who taught at LCHS.
A notable historic feature of the area is the former underground operations bunker, codenamed “Pinetree”, where WWII bombing missions were planned. The bunker remains in place today, is privately owned, and is protected as a listed historic structure.
The redevelopment of Pine Trees has preserved the historical significance of the site while creating a modern, family-friendly community that respects its unique past and its long-standing links between High Wycombe and its American allies.