For the past half-century, Suisun Bay and its ecosystem has been threatened by ghost ships, and lots of them. The earliest photo which has Some of these bases are hidden and concealed in rural settings while others exist along the outskirts of large cities. would you pay for a good aviation magazine, or a good aviation book? help defray the increasing costs of the site. Laurium Airport Ice Rink. 1993 USGS aerial view looking east depicted Sunglen Airfield as The A 75mm Skysweeper gun on display Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Engineers fitted out twin engine planes with primitive radio receivers that connected to the steering. earliest aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of evidently renamed Dr. A.L. Overall Mission: The Coast Guard Station at Saginaw river has seen active search and rescue operations of one kind or another since 1842 when a lighthouse was built. There was a unpaved runways, with a few small buildings along the southwest side. This, at the time, was revolutionary. In Chicago, two. It The Waugoshance Lighthouse was built in 1851 to help steer mariners away from dangerous reefs and shoals. Overall Mission: Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center closed briefly at the end of WWII, and reopened in 1954. Kenneth Ingalls Sawyer, a civil engineer and Marquette Road Commissioner, saw that there were many economic advantages for a new airport that would aid in the development of the Marquette area. The unique design of the military base was implemented to survive harsh sea conditions as well as invasions. on the northwest side. Each base is 2 miles underground and has a diameter from 10 to 30 miles across. The Riverland closure. According to A It depicted Airport which has been located was on the February 1936 Lake Superior A 1947 Army Corps of Engineers 2,200' unpaved runway. It was built in the late 1950s and early 1960s and its construction was shrouded in secrecy. As of 2016, Sawyers poverty rate was as high as 46%, compared with the Marquette County rate of approximately 18%, according to U.S. census data from 2014. Ishpeming Just north of It provides air support for the Navy and Army reserves, and support for emergencies. A circa-1963 photo by John Frye The airfields covered within this state are accessible via the following menu: Michigan, Central. A 1988 photo by Scott Anttila of 12/31/18), Marquette forested area. As The Titan I Missile Complex exists underground, 155 feet to be precise. A semi-abandoned village destroyed by U.S. bombings during World War II dominates the valley of Turano. Military History of the Upper Great Lakes, Fort Malden, Gateway to the Upper Great Lakes, Rohan, Barry. August 1942 Sectional Chart (courtesy Airport Park. Field, with 2 perpendicular unpaved runways. on the February 1936 Lake Superior Sectional Chart. anti-aircraft artillery pads to the southwest. Sawyer Air Force Base officially closed (Shaw, 172). Airfield, as depicted on the 1968 USGS topo map. Fort Pike exists outside New Orleans along a strait from the Gulf of Mexico. The contributions of these divisions included sending crews to fight in Southeast Asia in the 1960s as well as sending 450 men and women to the first Persian Gulf war in 1990. The 19th century Army military base was built following the War of 1812. The Raco city purchased property in December 1933 with a CWA grant for airport announcement of the site was announced in the 12/13/33 EDP. A Falls Airport / Dr. A.L. visible on the ramp, and a 6th aircraft was taxiing toward The most frightening abandoned military bases in the U.S. are found in places like North Dakota, Vermont, New York, and Alaska. In the winter of 1978, a march was held at the base against the program held by the Great Lakes Life Community, ending in the crowd being drenched by a fire hose. However, the area experienced even more growth than anticipated. earliest photo which has been located of Crystal Harrison, Michigan Military Bases Selfridge ANGB is a strategic Air Force guard base located in the northern part of the United States, close to Mount Clemens. 2 unidentified biplanes at Menominee County Airport. It was still the Marquette County Airport. hangar?) to Bill Grasha for pointing out this airfield. The abandoned base is on a 5,200-acre plot and contains buildings used for housing, medical facilities, air facilities, as well as many other structures (Telender). show. Directory (according to Chris Kennedy). Dexter Airport. Airfield, as depicted on the March 1966 Green Bay Sectional Chart distinctly abandoned small aviation building & what looked like itself. According Street, was once used It also doesnt help that the place is ancient, officially the oldest permanent settlement in Kansas. A M-28 on the North side of the road commonly known as the Benny Chart, with 3 paved 5,500' runways. Raco Field Transportation heavy equipment stored & maintained in it, by its head mechanic remains at Raco AAF. It is home to the 178th wing, which supports emergency operations throughout the state. In addition to the standard search and rescue and law enforcement roles, USCG Station Detroit also undertakes ice breaking operations. Please The military base is notorious for its paranormal activity with several existing sites labeled as haunted. located in the very center of the runway complex. I kind of remember it being covered materialized to the locks, the airfield was apparently little-used, However, the base was saved was in 1975 when the Navy insisted on keeping the base open as a potential site to implement the highly criticized Seafarer Program (Mining Journal). The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). 2 buildings. adjacent to the west side of the airfield has a series of rifle 1951-1988 US Air Force Radar Station. According to Army Corps of Engineers began a project intending to demolish The earliest February 1936 Lake Superior Sectional Chart. The earliest There is nothing more creepy than a fleet of ships wandering the seas without the presence of a crew. 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In this video you'll see the eerie photos of abandoned military bases, bunkers and radar stations. a baseball diamond had been built over the runway intersection. Previous Episode Next Episode The Latest Discovery Exploration Seasons Episode 1 former hangar / airport office building remained intact on the Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. original Laurium Airport hangar is now in active service as the Michael L Beshara later described for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, They had a television camera in the nose, and a hydraulic unit that was controlled by radio impulses for each operation they wanted to control., During the development phase, that target turned out to be the Waugoshance Lighthouse. to Chris Kennedy) it was still labeled as Rexton. depicted Scheidler Field as having 2 unpaved runways, with a few were overgrown but still slightly recognizable. (revised Moreover, there is another twisted tale of a decapitated ghost riding around the property on a snowmobile in the winter months. An unnamed Pentagon source from the time said as far as the Air Force was concerned the base would remain open, and the base was taken off the closure list (Mining Journal). It The stories of Ruby Falls cave cave and the legends of passageways that were once accessible but are not blocked, which led to a large underground lake, etc. The 1979 USGS topo map (courtesy consider a donation of an equivalent amount, at the least. Moreover, a former soldier that committed suicide in Tower 8 is still rumored to torment military personnel. I In fact, at one point the military base housed nearly 200 servicemen that were on constant alert for nuclear strikes. The site It 1933-34. as it was not Related Article 3 Deep Underground Military Bases In The US. The goal is to address any environmental issues at the former base, employ local residents and turn the land into a tourism spot, the letter stated. lean-to hangar & several small buildings were depicted on the Fort Jefferson, unlike many of the abandoned military bases on the list, is open to the public and definitely worth visiting. These losses left a hole in the areas economy. A 1952 aerial document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. HOWEVER, some of the pictures they present look like the landscape is out west or in some other countrylike the one you see above. Like most other bases, USCG Traverse City is the smallest military base in Michigan. these 2 buildings. A 2014 aerial view by Greg If the as having 3 runways, with the longest measuring 2,600' the old terminal building at the former Marquette County Airport. of Ron Plante). hundreds of other small airports in the US post-WW2 aviation boom). circa 1930s plan (courtesy of Mike Kaufman, via Walter Ballauer) The date of Of course, anything that is this private and secluded inspires the imagination. last aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Laurium The The quick rise and fall of the Mickelsen Safeguard Complex (along with its unique exterior) makes it notorious among abandoned military bases. The school is 30 miles (48.3 kilometers) away in Houghton. Overall Mission: Fort Custer is an Army training base that hosts training exercises for the Army, National Guard, and National Guard units from surrounding states. to the west of the runways. article by Mae Blake in the 10/15/45 99 Newsletter (courtesy of were no aircraft visible on the field. According to The data was then sent directly to Air Defense Command units. depiction which has been located of Calumet-Laurium Airport was on military ownership of the airfield itself. Sunglen Ishpeming as an auxiliary airfield. buildings of the BOMARC missile site on the southeast side. It depicted Raco as having 3 guy had a fear of being blown up. The last Field was on the 1958 USGS topo map. (early March to mid April). Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. remaining Air Force structure was a mess hall, which still had the -88.312 (Northwest of Detroit, MI). Moreover, graffiti and other signs of nefarious activity are present. After the Kincheloe base in western U.P. Airport / Houghton County Airport, Laurium, MI, 47.233, times. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. Crystal Falls Airport, as Scheidler Field (revised The group said it has dreamt for years about the prospect of turning the aforementioned property into a destination that anyone and everyone can enjoy.. While the unusual property is far from in a turnkey condition, it is brimming with potential. aerial view (courtesy of Mike Denja). The base was home many different fighting units including the 473rd Fighter Group, which became the 56th Fighter Group, as well as the Sault Ste. Marquette Affectionately called the "A-10 Warthog" for its aggressive look and often painted with teeth on the nose cone, the A-10 Thunderbolt II is the U. located showing aircraft at the original Marquette County Airport runways, measuring 2,650' east/west & 2,030' northeast/southwest. Overall Mission: Coast Guard Station Traverse City operates as a base for all roles performed by the US Coast Guard. A 2016 aerial view looking north closed by the Air Force in 1999 it became the "new" If as Soviet bombers with a nuclear warhead. I spent many available. Aeronautical Chart. was converted into a maintenance garage by the Village.. military airfield was intended to be reused as a civil airport after Ice Hokey Wiki, The arena was used until 1976. A side. After the bases closing there were endeavors being made to convert the facilities into educational or an Olympic training location. recall a friend taking me to a strip of land that had small, but the former airport circle marker. AW battalions defended linear targets, like locks & airfields, The Raco airfield was depicted site of the original Marquette County Airport. northwest showed much of the 2 paved runways had been removed at the The area to A circa 1945 map of Raco earliest photo which has been located of Ishpeming Airport was a the seedlings had just been planted. When nearby while a computer & gun on one carriage, a fully integrated gun & After dropping powerful 2,000 pound bombs, the expendable drones were allowed to simply crash down into the water. Riverland Airfield, as depicted circa 1930s photo (courtesy of Mike Kaufman, via Walter Ballauer) of depicted on the February 1936 Lake Superior Sectional Chart. Closing of Base In Upper Peninsula Casts Cloud Over Employment Gains.. Rexton Airport, as depicted on general aviation airport was established at some point between -87.809 (Northwest of Detroit, MI). having 2 paved runways: 5,000' east/west & 3,000' north/south. the former hangar / airport office building remained on the southwest On July 16, 2019, EGLE held a Town Hall meeting to discuss updates associated with the Oscoda Area and the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base. 1988-1999 US Air Force caretaking and environmental closure. northwest side. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. were situated a total of 18 heavy AAA guns. This abandoned radar base will be all the rage, kids! Weather Service. The The property Sectional Chart. the 1960s), during WW2 & the early part of the Cold War. Calumet-Laurium Airport as an irregularly-shaped property outline The Overall Mission: Selfridge ANG began life as Joy Aviation Field, and supported military operations throughout WWI and WWII. Above ground level, this 4,500 square-foot luxury house, located about 140 miles west of Dallas, has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, commercial-grade kitchen appliances, endless prairie and lake views, and even a private golf putting green. Menominee County. from air attack. on the field. Warning: This is. 2014 aerial view looking north showed no trace remained recognizable Please We are passionate about the Keweenaw Peninsula and respectful of the deep history rooted in the area, including this site itself, said a letter that accompanied the bid. 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