Copyright © 2007-2011, Scott D.
Murdock
6 Aug 2011 - Split the non-Lowry entries into the separate Wanderings trip report.
27 Nov 2011 - Added Lowry AFB Bldg 1491 photos.
This page covers Lowry AFB and it's related annexes, as seen during my time in Denver starting in 2007. The former catch-all visits formerly captured here are now in the Wanderings trip report. This page is alphabetical rather than chronological, since my visits span several years.
Genesee Mountain Park Training Annex, Colorado (3886, HUCX)
This former annex of Lowry AFB is a bit west of Golden, south of I-70, and centered at approximately 39-41-56, 105-17-15. Within the last decade, at least one building and some cable vaults remained from Air Force use. Looks like I visited one summer too late. The "Open House" banners as we drove toward the site made me uncomfortable. Sure enough, the area with the building and infrastructure remnants has been improved with new roads, driveways, and houses. I photographed some of the great scenery at the approximate center of the installation, which supported radar training from about 1955 to about 1969. Visited 28 Aug 2010.
Lowry Missile Site #2, Colorado (6957, NTNM)
I had seen the locked gate back in 2002. This time, 20 Nov 2010, I had full topside access on this former Titan I missile complex.
(Access gate)
(General view)
(Distant view of orientation targets)
(Orientation targets)
(Orientation targets)
(Antenna silo #1)
(Antenna silo #2)
(Antenna silo detail)
(Survey marker closeup)
(Survey marker in foreground)
(Unidentified feature)
(Chemical waste clarifier)
(Portal)
(Portal)
(Portal, instrument array in background)
(Instrument array with one tube raised)
(Launch silo #1)
(Launch silo #1)
(Launch silo #1)
(Launch silo #1)
(Launch silo #1)
(Launch silo #2)
(Launch silo #2)
(Launch silo #2)
(Launch silo #2)
(Launch silo #2)
(Launch silo #3)
(Launch silo #3)
(Launch silo #3)
(Launch silo #3)
(Launch silo #3, silo doors)
(Launch silo #3, silo doors)
(Launch silo #3, silo door detail)
(Launch silo #3, silo door detail)
Lowry Missile Site #3, Colorado (7240)
I had explored this site back in 2005. I made another visit on 25 Nov 2010. CAUTION: I do not recommend visiting this site due to the numerous open holes, pits, and shafts. All former missile sites are inherently unsafe, but this one is more dangerous than most.
(Entrance gate)
(General view, looking south from portal parking area)
(General view, looking north from portal parking area)
(Portal)
(Portal)
(Portal)
(Portal)
(Portal)
(Portal)
(Orientation targets, both sets)
(Orientation targets, east set)
(Orientation targets, east set)
(Orientation targets, west set)
(Orientation targets, west set)
(Antenna silos)
(Antenna silo #1)
(Antenna silo #2)
(Antenna terminal exhaust vent)
(Hard Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) antenna)
(Hard UHF antenna)
(Communications antenna silo)
(Communications antenna silo)
(Communications antenna silo)
(Communications antenna silo detail)
(Communications antenna silo detail)
(Chemical waste clarifier)
(Chemical waste clarifier)
(Concrete pad)
(Concrete pad)
(Exposed main junction)
(Exposed main junction)
(Main junction interior, looking west)
(Main junction interior, looking west)
(Main junction interior, looking west)
(Main junction interior, looking west)
(Main junction interior, looking north)
(Main junction interior, looking south)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Unidentified feature)
(Launch silo #1)
(Launch silo #1)
(Launch silo #1)
(Launch silo #2)
(Launch silo #2)
(Launch silo #2)
(Launch silo #2, doors)
(Launch silo #2, unidentified feature nearby)
(Launch silo #2, unidentified feature nearby)
(Launch silo #2, unidentified feature nearby)
(Launch silo #2, unidentified feature nearby)
(Launch silo #2, unidentified feature nearby)
(Launch silo #2, unidentified feature nearby)
(Launch silo #3)
(Launch silo #3)
(Launch silo #3)
(Launch silo #3)
(Launch silo #3, doors)
(Launch silo #3, feature associated with propellant terminal)
(Launch silo #3, detail)
(Launch silo #3, feature associated with equipment terminal)
(Launch silo #3, feature associated with propellant terminal)
Lowry AFB, Denver, Colorado (1235, NTMU)
I first visited the former Lowry AFB in early 2005, and at
that time I had no idea I would live and work on the former base in the future.
In August 2007 I moved here to start a new job. Here are some photos I've taken since then, arranged by building rather than date.
(Building 22)
(Building 27 - Chapel No. 1)
(Building 27 - Chapel No. 1)
(Building 27 - Chapel No. 1)
(Building 27 - Chapel No. 1)
(Building 27 - Chapel No. 1)
(Building 27 - Chapel No. 1)
(Building 27 - Chapel No. 1)
(Building 349 - "Brick Barracks")
(Building 349 - "Brick Barracks")
(Building 349 - "Brick Barracks")
(Building 349 - "Brick Barracks")
(Building 349 - "Brick Barracks")
(Building 353 - Theater)
(Building 353 - Theater)
(Building 353 - Theater)
(Building 357 - Fire station)
(Building 357 - Fire station)
(Building 357 - Fire station)
(Building 361 - Steam plant)
(Building 361 - Steam plant)
(Building 361 - Steam plant)
(Building 361 - Steam plant)
(Building 376 - Power-operated gun turret and Norden bombsight training building)
(Building 376 - Power-operated gun turret and Norden bombsight training building)
(Building 376 - Power-operated gun turret and Norden bombsight training building)
(Building 379 - Photography training)
(Building 379 - Photography training)
(Building 379 - Photography training)
(Building 379 - Photography training)
(Building 380 - Armament training)
(Building 380 - Armament training)
(Building 380 - Armament training)
(Buildings 379 and 380)
(Buildings 379 and 380)
(Building 397 - Visitor quarters)
(Building 397 - Visitor quarters)
(Building 401 - Hangar No. 1)
(Building 401 - Hangar No. 1)
(Building 401 - the museum's B-52 in its former location)
(Building 401 - the museum's B-52 is lowered onto its new display mount -- thanks for the photo Debbie!)
(Building 402 - Hangar No. 2)
(Building 402 - Hangar No. 2)
(Building 402 - Hangar No. 2)
(Building 402 - Hangar No. 2)
(Building 402 - Hangar No. 2)
(Building 402 - Hangar No. 2)
(Buildings 401 and 402 seen from Westerly Creek Dam)
(Building 555)
(Building 640 - Commissary)
(Building 693 - Theater)
(Building 693 - Theater)
(Building 694)
(Building 694)
(Building 696)
(Building 696)
(Building 697 - Chapel)
(Building 697 - Chapel)
(Building 697 - Chapel)
(Building 967 - Chapel)
(Building 700 - Large dormitory)
(Building 700 - Large dormitory)
(Building 753 - Dental clinic)
(Building 753 - Dental clinic)
(Building 753 - Dental clinic)
(Buildings 830 and 831 - W.W.II buildings)
(Building 831 - W.W.II building)
(Building 831 - W.W.II building)
(Building 840 - W.W.II building)
(Building 840 - W.W.II building)
(Building 849 - Dormitory)
(Building 849 - Dormitory)
(Building 849 - Dormitory)
(Buildings 849 and 850)
(Building 869 - Dormitory)
(Building 869 - Dormitory)
(Building 880 - W.W.II building)
(Building 880 - W.W.II building)
(Building 880 - W.W.II building)
(Building 900 - Large dormitory)
(Building 900 - Large dormitory)
(Building 900 - Large dormitory)
(Building 900 - Large dormitory)
(Building 901 - Dormitory, part of original USAF Academy complex)
(Building 901 - Dormitory, part of original USAF Academy complex)
(Building 901 - Dormitory, part of original USAF Academy complex)
(Building 903 - Dormitory, part of original USAF Academy complex)
(Building 903 - Dormitory, part of original USAF Academy complex)
(Building 905 - Dormitory, original headquarters of the USAF Academy)
(Building 905 - Dormitory, original headquarters of the USAF Academy)
(Building 905 - Dormitory, original headquarters of the USAF Academy)
(Building 992)
(Building 999)
(Building 1307 - Technical training laboratory)
(Building 1307 - Technical training laboratory)
(Building 1307 - Technical training laboratory)
(Building 1400 - Billeting "Mile High Lodge")
(Building 1435)
(Building 1435)
(Building 1491 - Missile Maintenance)
(Building 1491 - Missile Maintenance)
(Building 1499 - Hangar)
(Building 1499 - Hangar)
(Building 1499 - Hangar)
(W.W.II barracks, next to Chapel No. 1)
(W.W.II barracks, next to Chapel No. 1)
(Group of W.W.II barracks)
(Building - Gymnasium)
(Building - Gymnasium)
(Building - Gymnasium)
(Building - Gymnasium)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Remnant of barbed wire fence along Alameda Avenue)
Lowry Field (Combs Airport), Denver, Colorado
This was the first field named Lowry in Denver, used by the Colorado National Guard from 1924 until 1938. For several years after that, it was a civilian airport named Combs. Two possible hangars from that era remain, one of them with "Combs Aircraft Corp." still visible on the metal skin. These structures are just east of the Park Hill Golf Club course, at 39-46-15, 104-55-54. This field was not associated with the later Lowry AFB, but I include it here since the two installations share the same namesake. Visited 25 Nov 2007.
Lowry AF Range, Titan I complex 724-B, Colorado (724-A per Fred Epler)
I had seen the gate back in 2005. This time, 12 Nov 2010, I noticed a Quonset hut and one set of orientation targets visible from Quincy Road.
Lowry AF Range, Titan I complex 725-B, Colorado (725-A per Fred Epler)
I had seen the orientation targets back in 2005. This time, 12 Nov 2010, the signs were friendlier and I got closer to the site. I saw the original access road, and I could see the three silo caps in the distance. Sometime after it's use as a Titan I site, this piece of land became the Bennett Army National Guard Site. It was sold to a private owner in 2006.
Lowry AF Range, Colorado (1236, NTNG)
This small storage area goes back to at least 1952. I viewed the area from the west and from the east, and from the fenceline I observed the one remaining storage igloo. Seen in Nov 2010.
Lowry Recreation Annex, Dillon, Colorado (9852, NTNQ)
This recreation facility, located at 39-35-49, 106-01-35, supported Lowry AFB. I don't know its activation date, but it was in use by 1967, and was disposed of in 1994. It's now operated by the U.S. Forest Service as Lowry Campground. Visited 5 Oct 2008.
Lowry Training Annex, Colorado (NTNB)
The training annex was part of the former Lowry Air Force Range, and was used for munitions training. A storage area with several igloos has been razed. I viewed the remaining roadbed from the access gate on 25 Nov 2010.
Lowry Warehouse Annex, Denver, Colorado (1239)
I believe I found the correct location of this facility, a warehouse used by Lowry AFB in the 1950s. Visited 1 Mar 2009.
Watkins Comms Site GWEN 666, Colorado (YNMH)
I saw the access gate for this site back in 2005. This time, in Nov 2010, I looked from the north and I believe I saw the remaining fenced enclosures from the site (the tower and equipment were removed years ago). The access gate had a new sign since my earlier visit. This site is on property of the former Lowry Training Annex, which was on the former Lowry B&G Range.
