On May 29th, 1951 a joint Canadian (RCAF) and American (USAF) project took place. It's purpose was to mount a defense against possible Soviet air threats against North America. It was estimated that by 1954, the USSR would have the capability to send long range bombers. The project would see the construction of a series of radar bases all along the country to provide advanced warning of incoming aircraft.

CFB Edgar (site C-4 or callsign "Cupid") was built as a radar station for the Department of National Defense (DND) in November of 1950. It was completed on September 1952 under the command of HC Vinnicombe.

It consisted of three "Armco" huts, sixty-five married quarters, a school, heating plant, sewage disposal plant, fire hall, pump house, mess hall, barracks and homes for the service men and women.

Facilities included a 10 bed Sick Quarters which provided medical and dental services; also a recreation building which housed a gymnasium, swimming pool, club room, general store, barber shop and post office.

Protestant church services were held on the base in the school until 1953 when the recreational base was completed.

Three movies were shown per week. The admission for two movies was 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for a child. The third movie was free as it was either educational or medical in nature.

A library with 200 books was available as was a skating rink for the hockey team.

Edgar operated as both an Early Warning (EW) and a manual Ground-Control Intercept (GCI) unit. All aircraft would be manually plotted onto a large plotting board. Initially the hardware would allow for an 80 mile radius. Later upgrades would allow for a 200 mile radius up to 40,000 feet altitude. The manual system was upgraded during the 1960's with an automated system in October of 1961.

As of 30 November, 1952, 154 officers, airmen and airwomen were at Edgar. By December of 1961 the size of the base had grown to 184 military personnel and 89 civilians.

Edgar closed on March 20, 1964 as it fell redundant when other bases were upgraded. That November the station was sold to the Province of Ontario for $218,225. It is used as a training facility for handicapped adults.

Directions : Drive north of Barrie on Highway 400 or Highway 11. On Highway 11, take Line 5 northward to the base, and on Highway 400, take the "Old Barrie Road" (Simcoe County Road 11) exit, and head east. The DND uses the property for training purposes. Avoid trespassing.