1900: Philippine-American War, the US 48th infantry unit led by Capt. Robert Rudd, established a hill station in what is today the site of Camp John Hay.

The site was part of a vast pastureland referred to by its local inhabitants, the Ibalois, as "Kafaguay", which meant a 'wide open place.' It was owned by a native by the name of Mateo Cariño.

October 1903: US President Theodore Roosevelt signed a presidential order designating 525 acres of the campsite as a military reservation for American soldiers to rest and recuperate from the heat of the lowlands.

This hill station was then named Camp John Hay after John Milton Hay, who, as US Secretary of State, played a considerable role in the development of an American Policy in the country.

November 1906: The Camp was officially utilized after Capt. Hileard of the Quartermater Corps built fire cottages for the American Officers.

1927: The Bellhouse and Ampitheater were named after Major General James Franklin Bell who designed the Ampitheater and oversaw the construction of Camp John Jay during this period.

December 1941: 72 Bombs released by warplanes over the Main Gate of Camp John Hay, signaled the beginning of World War II.

Camp John Hay then became an interment camp for Americans and other nationals at war with the Japanese. The Camp served as the headquarters of General Tomoyuki Yamashita.

The Japanese occupation came full circle, as it ended with the surrender of General Yamashita at Camp John Hay. Formal ceremonies were held at the living room of the High Commissioner's residence which was later renames as the "Ambassador's Residence."

In 1955, Camp John Hay was re-designated as John Hay Air Base under the control of the United States Government.

Camp John Hay was formally turned over to the Philippine Government by the United States Government in 1991. The Philippine Government then designated Camp John Hay as a tourism, human resource development and forest watershed recreation. The strategy of privitization was implemented based on the Master Development Plan to enhance Camp John Hay through a partnership between the Government and the private sector.

Source: Camp John Hay 100 Years Flyer distributed by John Hay Management Corp. and CJH DevCo Corp.

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