From the files -- Cape May's Relay History

Prior to falling into the capable hands of the Coast Guard in 1948, Cape May belonged to the Marines, then the Navy.

The first Marine Aeronautical Company trained and flew seaplane operations at Cape May beginning Oct. 14, 1917. The Marines who trained here later fought in Europe during World War I. In December 1917, the Navy began to use the site as well for seaplanes and "lighter-than-air" dirigible anti-submarine patrols. The site was names Camp Wissahickon by the Navy and activities continued here until 1922.

In 1926, the second Coast Guard Air Station was founded here (the first was at Gloucester, Mass.) to deter rumrunners. The air station's first commanding officer was Cmdr. Carl C. Von Paulsen, a pioneer in the Coast Guard aviation. Lt. Cmdr. Elmer F. Stone, Coast Guard Aviator #1 and one of the pilots of the Navy NC-4 Curtis Seaplane that made the first successful trans-Atlantic crossing in 1919, relieved him. Capt. Richard L. Burke, who set a national and internal speed record with 500 kilograms of payload at 174 mph on June 25, 1935, at Cape May, relieved Stone. Two days later, Burke set the world record for altitude for amphibian planes at 18,100 feet.

For training purposes, an aviation school for enlisted personnel was founded at Cape May in 1934. The air station was decommissioned in 1938 due to a lack of funding. However, air patrol detachments were maintained at Cape May until 1941. During World War II, the Navy used Cape May again, this time for training pilots in aircraft carrier operations. The unique positions of Cape May on the Atlantic provided excellent simulated conditions.

One May 31, 1948, the Coast Guard moved in and they have been at Cape May for more than 60 years.