This page will be a catchall for various minor adventures that, by themselves, do not warrant individual trip reports. This page covers the time frame starting in August 2007. See Variation Authorized for similar material from 1994 through 2004, and Miscellany for similar material from 2005 through July 2007. Unlike my "normal" trip reports, this one is alphabetical rather than chronological.
Buckley Arctic Training Center, Colorado
I was on (or at least very near) this large training area on my way up to Mount Evans on 9 Jul 2008. In 1943 and 1944, 34,930 acres of land were used by Buckley Field for arctic training.
Camp George West, Golden, Colorado
Much of this former National Guard camp, at 39-44-35, 105-10-30, is now a correctional facility. A water tower and warehouses can be seen from outside the fence. Visited 20 Sep 2008.
Colorado Springs Administration Annex #2 - Burroughs Building, Colorado (EDQQ)
TActivated under ADC on 3 Jun 1974, this single-building installation was transferred to SAC on 1 Oct 1979. In 1980 it changed from a real property to a programmed installation. Air Force continued until approximately 2007, and the building was for sale when I visited on 18 Oct 2009.
Colorado Springs Administration Annex #16, Colorado (5446)
The Air Force used this building as the USAF Academy Construction Agency, then it was renamed on 15 Feb 1961. I don't know dates of first or final use of this facility by the AF. Visited 16 Sep 2007.
Farish Memorial Recreation Area, Woodland Park, Colorado (6839, WUXS)
The Air Force activated this installation in 1959 to support the near-by United States Air Force Academy. It was enlarged from 160 to 655 acres in 1967. It contains three lakes, with great scenery (including the occasional Air Force sign lurking on the fence). Visited 18 Oct 2009.
Francis E. Warren AF Missile Site #4, Cheyenne, Wyoming
I visited this site on 30 Apr 2009. The land is now owned by the City of Cheyenne. The only public access is a limited number of City-sponsored tours, so I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to see the site up close. This former Atlas D missile site is part of the larger Belvoir Ranch property, acquired by Cheyenne in 2003 for future water development and waste facilities development. The city also hopes to eventually open an interpretive site to share the heritage of the ranch, including Native American, ranching, and railroad history as well as this first-generation ICBM site. For more information see the Belvoir Ranch Master Plan web site. My thanks to Chuck Lanham for showing me around the site!
General view
of the site looking south from I-80
Former location of
Gate House &
Vehicle Storage Building
Diesel
Storage Tank (right) and Water Storage Tank (left)
Power &
Pump House and Water Storage Tank
Power & Pump House interior
Launch
Operations Building entryway
Launch
Operations Building and Track Antenna
Track
Antenna
Looking into
Track Antenna structure from inside Launch
Operations Building
Additional antenna mount inside
Launch Operations
Building
Additional antenna mount inside Launch Operations Building
Launch Operations Building upper level interior
Launch Operations Building upper level interior
Launch Operations Building upper level interior
Launch Operations Building upper level interior
Launch Operations Building upper level interior
Launch Operations Building upper level interior
Launch Operations Building stairwell
Launch Operations Building lower level interior
Launch Operations Building lower level interior
Launch Operations Building lower level interior
Launch Operations Building lower level interior
Launch Operations Building lower level interior
Launch & Service Building (1
of 3, west)
Launch & Service Building (1
of 3, west)
Launch & Service Building (1
of 3, west)
Launch & Service Building (1
of 3, west)
Launch & Service Building (1
of 3, west)
Launch & Service Building (1
of 3, west)
Launch & Service Building (1
of 3, west)
Launch & Service Building (2
of 3, center)
Launch & Service Building (2
of 3, center)
Launch & Service Building (2
of 3, center)
Launch & Service Building (2
of 3, center)
Launch & Service Building (2
of 3, center)
Launch & Service Building (3
of 3, east)
Launch & Service Building (3
of 3, east)
Launch & Service Building (3
of 3, east)
Launch & Service Building (3
of 3, east)
Launch & Service Building (3
of 3, east)
Microwave Building
Remote Rate Antenna Building (1
of 2, southwest)
Remote Rate Antenna Building (1 of 2, southwest)
Remote Rate Antenna Building (2
of 2, northeast)
Location of former Bore Site Tower
Storage Building and Segregated Magazine
Storage Building
Segregated Magazine
Water Well Building (1
of 3, northwest)
Water Well Building (2
of 3, center)
Water Well Building (3
of 3, southeast)
Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Denver, Colorado (GRRY)
Originally known as General Hospital No. 21, this hospital was built by the Army at the end of the first world war. In 1920 it was named Fitzsimons General Hospital. It closed by direction of the 1995 BRAC process, and some of the Army buildings remain with lots of new construction mixed in. Visited 20 Oct 2007.
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.
State Armory, Fort Morgan, Colorado
Stumbled on this one while cruising through Fort Morgan. It's at 40-15-13, 103-48-00. Visited 25 Jan 2009.
State Armory, Loveland, Colorado
Since I brake for National Guard armories, I though I would share this state armory with you. It's located at 40-23-28, 105-04-25. It was built in 1926 by the State of Colorado Military Board. Visited 7 Sep 2008.
Lowry AFB, Denver, Colorado
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 new (2007 and 2008) photos to supplement my 2005 shots.
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Here are a couple of July 2009 shots of Building 905, which served as the headquarters of the United States Air Force Academy during the time it was at Lowry AFB.
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 or maintenance sheds from that era are extant, 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. Visited 25 Nov 2007.
Lowry Recreation Annex, Dillon, Colorado
This recreation facility, 9852, NTNQ, 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.
Minot AFB, North Dakota
I visited Minot on business in Feb 2009. No photos since it is an active base.
Minot AF Missile Site #O-01, North Dakota
I toured this Minuteman III Missile Alert Facility in Feb 2009. No photos since it is an active site.
Minot International Airport, North Dakota
I revisited this airport in Feb 2009. This field was improved early in W.W.II under DLAND, and had Navy use during the war, when it was known as Port 'o Minot. No photos, no wartime buildings or structures were visible.
Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Visited 24 May 2009. No photos, since this is an active base.
Mountain Home AF Missile Site #1, Idaho
Visited 24 May 2009. Now a disposal facility, the original entry gate stands. Two concrete features are visible from outside the fence, especially from the higher ground just east of the site.
Mountain Home AF Missile Site #2, Idaho
Visited 24 May 2009. The Titan I silos are either behind or under this area of elevated earth.
Mountain Home AF Missile Site #3, Idaho
Visited 24 May 2009. I didn't see any distinctive features from the gate of this site.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Denver, Colorado
Built during W.W.II, this was a Chemical Warfare Service facility. Now the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, centered on 39-50, 104-51, it is temporarily closed to visitors. Hopefully someday I'll get to visit and explore. Visited 25 Nov 2007. Update: I went back on 20 and 21 Sep 2008. The elevated water storage tanks seen a year ago have since been demolished. The current visitor center is said to be the former arsenal officers club. An electrical substation could be seen, also this farmhouse that pre-dates the arsenal, and two water system buildings. One ammunition storage igloo was visible from one of the roads. A vintage map displayed in the visitor center shows the former layout of the arsenal.
Stapleton Airport, Denver, Colorado
During W.W.II, this airport was known as Denver Municipal Airport or Stapleton. It served the adjacent AAF Modification Center #13, and hosted various AAF units and activities. After the war it prospered as Denver's primary airport. It shut down in the 1990s, and the property has been extensively redeveloped. I don't believe any W.W.II structures stand, and the only obvious remnants of the commercial airport are a parking garage and the control tower building. The airport was quite large, and the present I-70 highway cuts right across a former runway. The control tower is south of I-70 at 39-45-38, 104-53-31. Visited 25 Nov 2007.
Steve Canyon Statue, Idaho Springs, Colorado
This is for my historian pals who are fans of the Steve Canyon comic strips and television show. Visited 12 July 2009. One marker states "Erected by the people of Idaho Springs July 8, 1950 through the efforts of the Idaho Springs Junior Chamber of Commerce." A plaque, also dated July 1950, reads in part "This statue is dedicated to all airmen who wore the uniform of the armed forces of the United States in time of conflict, and who stand ready in the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard to fly again in defense of their country, should the need arise."
The Field Air Inspector, Colorado Springs, Colorado
During W.W.II, this Army Air Forces agency occupied office space at 121 East Pikes Peak Avenue. If the local addresses have remained the same, that would be this building at the corner of the street. Formerly the Mining Exchange Building, this was a bank until recently. Now it appears to be under preparations for either remodeling or demolition.
United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
On 13 Mar 2010 we visited the Academy to check out the visitor center and the chapel. On the drive in, we had a good distant view of the academic complex. As we got closer I appreciated the contrast of other buildings near the chapel. The chapel itself is a masterpiece.
