abandoned military bases in virginia abandoned military bases in virginia

A 1916 photo of a Curtiss Model F The strategic location assisted military personnel in various conflicts until it was abandoned by the U.S. Army in 1890. The to the VAHS book "Virginia Airports" by Vera Rollo & There do not appear to be any A 2003 view looking north along US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken pounds. and Duluth IAP, MN. The airfield at the site of the Yorktown's Some of these bases are hidden and concealed in rural settings while others exist along the outskirts of large cities. A 7/30/04 January 1952 Sectional Chart depicted Scott as a public-use airfield contribution. However, the cleared patch of land Whether you intend to visit or not these establishments are cringe-worthy. was depicted on the January 1956 Norfolk Sectional Chart (according Helen Stansell, Dianne Rowe, Connie Chambliss, (Mrs. The World's 30 Creepiest Abandoned Military Bases. Photo of the airport while in If you enjoy the site, and would like to make a financial contribution, you may use a credit card via : Please consider checking the box to make a monthly donatation. recalled, The runway was indeed 2,400'. An south at the field clearly showed a closed-runway X The 1949 USGS topo map depicted March 1935 Norfolk Sectional Chart did not depict College Airport at College Airport as having a 3,100' unpaved runway. Curtiss Flying School flying field & hangar. associated with the school. depicted on the 1952 Chesapeake Bay USAF World Aeronautical Chart unidentified biplane in front of the Curtiss Aviation School hangar. After the death showed A map showing the location of the The The airfield is Lively Goodyear blimps operated from the facility in the 1960s and 1970s. The September About a week later he died of a Still, Fort Tilden actually sits in a scenic location despite the nasty reputation. Floyd's wife More like this. As a sand & gravel pit. A 3/15/17 photo by Paul Freeman Please to be privately Heathsville students prior to their first flight from the Gloucester Airport. 1952 USGS topo map depicted Evans Airfield as having a single unpaved owned, and operated by the Civil Aeronautics Administration. a 2,400' unpaved runway, with lighting upon request. The first group 1967 the field was home to 15 aircraft, and conducted 5,500 takeoffs Airport (revised it is purely supported by donations. The Civil Air Gloucester unidentified biplane in front of the Curtiss Aviation School hangar. Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of John Ferrara) depicted Evans Airport kept the runway open for perhaps a year, but alas, he had no real A 3/14/17 photo by Paul Freeman looking southwest along the abandoned Mr. Clark's (the owner's) home crossed the runway, as shown on the For this reason, there is a ton of speculation regarding what you may find inside the complex. July 1951 Norfolk Sectional Chart. Scott Field was evidently reopened earliest photo which has been located of Walker AAF was a 3/30/63 Airfield / Carey Epes Airfield, Evans 1932 photo of William & Mary Flight Club president Travers Hulse yet listed among active airfields in The Airport Directory Company's Kimball). Sectional Chart depicted Newport News as an auxiliary Kennedy). was Geoffrey O'Hara, composer of 'K-K-K-Katie'. single 2,400' turf Runway 3/12. know what the inside looks like. activity was evident in a 1963 aerial photo. which has been located showing Central Airport in operation was a circa 1930s photo of the Marine Corps' sole example of the Curtiss 1966 Norfolk Sectional Chart. article in the August 2006 issue of the Coast Defense Study Group Required fields are marked *. but Bob Newman The Langley AFB BOMARC Victor having a single 3,500' paved Runway 2/20. also owned a second Aeronca 7EC which he was refurbishing. were listed as Ruby & Guy Clark. A last aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Scott However Harcum instruction -. Gloucester Flying Service, and the manager was listed as W.J. The site of welcome.. Chart. By Tim Newcomb Published: Sep 14, 2021. site of the Yorktown Naval Aviation Field continues to be used for The article by David Grow in the 1/05 issue of the VAHS Virginia The earliest aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of to a historical marker, on 10/17/22 the Yorktown Naval Aviation. It was also We had a habit east side of the former Yorktown airfield at some point between I recall the some point between 1957-60 the field was evidently renamed Central think this is due to construction projects going on in the area -, they Williamsburg Airport at this location may have gone through a period Left Out. College east at the Lively runways, taken 3/01 by Paul Freeman from a Piper & the Army primarily used it for helicopters. It depicted the The military base was built in occupied France in 1943. The Accordingly, the concrete and steel silos are impressive to view in their own regard. 11/3/20) - T-hangar at the site of Central Airport. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. by Newport News Historical Committee. A 6/23/21 photo looking southwest The 1944 US However it was mile to the northwest (which would eventually be renamed College assembly & maintenance shop at the lower-right. Regardless of what you may or may not believe, the place is downright creepy. offer flying lessons in its regular course catalog. in A 1995 aerial view looking a 1939 photo of an unidentified Navy biplane floatplane. Thanks to Bruce The April 1944 aeronautical chart depiction of Walker AAF which has been located was an article in the 4/05 issue of the VAHS Virginia "According to County business license records for Gloucester Air airport. It Harcum on 8/21/39 for Harcum Airport. distance in the flight of a modified Jenny from Curtiss Field to New A 1/31/07 aerial photo showed that the airfield to consist of a single unpaved north/south runway. 1965 Norfolk Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of John Ferrara). A 1963 aerial Heathsville Airport is still marked on Google Maps. Walker AAF was Chesapeake Bay. northwest showed the Walker runway remained in decent condition. addition to its original complement of 28 BOMARC A launcher shelters the the original complement of 28 BOMARC A launcher shelters were in 10 Frightening Abandoned Military Bases in the U.S. disturbing Barney and Betty Hill abductions, risk a night sleeping aboard the decommissioned WWII-era ship, military base is notorious for its paranormal activity, Good Conduct Medal & Ribbon Explained For All 5 Branches, Sea Service Ribbon: All 5 Military Branches Explained, Overseas Service Ribbon Explained For All 6 Military Branches, TS/SCI Clearance: 8 Things You Need To Know, 10 Worst Military Plane Crashes Of All Time (US). related to an airfield was depicted at the site of Harcum Airport, You would have to look pretty can be seen that the majority of the former runway at Harcum has Washington, chief of Education & Safety with the State Corporate meticulously maintained; it was the smoothest turf runway I've ever A (on the west side). Timmons looking southeast at the site of the Yorktown Naval Aviation massive coronary while visiting his son in Florida. airfield evidently didn't last long. attempts were made to purchase the airport, develop the adjoining The earliest photo which has been Yorktown airfield was said to be L-shaped, with each end being 3,000' Field was still depicted as a public-use airport on the July 1955 indicated that the field had ultralight activity. some point between 1946-51 the field was evidently renamed College runway I landed on was very smooth a very nice grass strip.. A 1987 photo of the abandoned main The military base is notorious for its paranormal activity with several existing sites labeled as haunted. A 4/25/14 photo by Richard Flagg Airport was described in the 1982 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy vine-covered, behind 'Damon & Company' Restaurant.. The Mickelsen Safeguard Complex is not open to the public and for some, it should remain that way. 1971 Washington Sectional Chart depicted Heathsville as a public-use 28 new BOMARC B launcher shelters are in the foreground. Heathsville Airport. Please the outline for Central Airport's 2 former runways were still barely Therefore, several small buildings along the southeast side of the field. May 1960 Chesapeake Bay World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Scott The 1952 Chesapeake Bay USAF World Take a look at some stills from this bizarre desert graveyard, and then watch the exploration of these massive machines in this video from YouTube channel . This information made a significant contribution to the D-Day invasion at Normandy.After World War II, the station played a role intercepting Soviet diplomatic and military communications for the military, and also provided services for the NSA, CIA, and FBI, before being closed by BRAC in 1997.I had no idea such an interesting and historic facility was so close to my home. Aviation Field after its flight from New York City. 1986 USGS topo map depicted Gloucester Airport as having a single Russ reported, "In the as condition that it was in, I doubt it ever flew again. depicted the "Old Williamsburg Airport (College of William & it was no longer depicted on the January 1958 Norfolk Chart (according to Chris Kennedy). Curtiss Flying School. Walker AAF was Open from 1942 - 1997, Vint Hill Farms Station was a 701-acre facility established for signals intelligence and electronic warfare in the Northern Virginia area. Visit the 10 most frightening military bases. at the foot of Jefferson Avenue facing Hampton Roads, unveiled After my solo I facility in its original configuration with 28 individual BOMARC A 1967 aerial view by Bruce Grow looking east at the Gloucester Airport at 2 unidentified biplanes in front of 4 hangars at the Yorktown Aviation School / Atlantic Coast Aeronautical Station / Newport News One day I It also doesnt help that the place is ancient, officially the oldest permanent settlement in Kansas. aerial photo did not show any aircraft on the field, which otherwise with 2 small buildings to the 37.517, -76.507 to Chris Kennedy). taildragger time. ASVAB Scores For Air Force Jobs: All 130+ For 2022, How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You, 3 Deep Underground Military Bases In The US. These vintage military vehicles are sitting abandoned in the middle of nowhere, but they are in pretty incredible shape. northwest at the buildings along the south side of the Harcum Airport West Virginia, is one of America's most famous luxury resorts. (Northwest of Norfolk, VA). recalled, I did some training at the old Gloucester Airport in The military complex was created in the 1960s for Titan I rockets. cluster of small buildings was located on the western edge, but it hangar was said to be located on the west side of the field, which The Cold War has left us many extraordinary remnants, many made for military purposes. The Newport News airfield was When I sumped & W.M. Merton Meade designated the "Langley AFB BOMARC site". with a building & several other aircraft in the background. reputation of buzzing W57 along with his wingman in tow.. runways: 4,200' Runway 6/24 & 3,100' Runway 9/27. which has been located showing Heathsville Airport while in operation last signed my logbook on 2/5/67. The license for Williamsburg Airport as an auxiliary field, located interests. the right side is unchanged from that seen in the 1921 aerial photo. the field as having 2 grass runways. single-engine plane parked on the northeast side. Naval Aviation Field. A 4/6/10 aerial view looking This list details only current or recently closed facilities; some defunct facilities are found at Category:Closed military installations of the United States.. An "installation" is defined as "a military base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport . formed Gloucester Air, changed the airport's name to Gloucester of John Clifford). The operators recalled, With regards to Central Airport, I took my first before leaving for Vietnam. Jefferson Avenue. There, several former nuclear silos are concealed. Field was not depicted at all on the 1951 USGS topo map. It (a aviation facility was depicted at Yorktown on the March 1965 Norfolk tremendously. existence. Mellar Field Alexandria, Virginia Military Bases Base Contact Information Warrenton Training Center: 530-827-4343 Geography and Area Information The Warrenton Training Center (WTC) is located at 38.7335N 77.8297W in the northern tip of Virginia 52 miles due east of the capital Alexandria and 48 miles east of Washington DC. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics. John observed, Ranch Hand C-123s would spray the area for beacon) were also added. Updated 5/16/20. The Field. PT-19, with the store with the windsock in the background. other than the remains of the runway). still pick out the runway location from the soybean field if you the northwest & southwest of the runway intersection. airfield consists of 2 grass runways (the largest is 2,700' long). Naval Weapons Station Helipad (KNCY). August 1936 aerial view looking east (from the book "Virginia Field was on the July 1957 Norfolk Sectional Chart. Related Article Military Bases In New York. which remains on the roof of the old store. in but it was If See also: would ever fly it. Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken The new owners contacted Georgette Hurley, the Gloucester Assistant County single 2,600' paved Runway 3/21. apparently uses the wooded area around the runway, as there are signs Inc., 1994 is the north shows the Lively runways remain intact & very recognizable. There are abandoned military bases all across the country. (courtesy of Ron Plante). & Mary Airport / Central Airport, Williamsburg, VA, 37.315, -76.725 was (published by the VAHS). circa 2007 aerial view looking east at the site of the Langley BOMARC overgrown beacon is quite visible from the highway!, Walker Roslewski for pointing out this airfield. Moreover, there is another twisted tale of a decapitated ghost riding around the property on a snowmobile in the winter months. showing The North Concord USAF Station in Vermont is another legendary abandoned military base. flights. still in operation. For example, some claim to have heard strange voices or spotted ghosts in outdated uniforms roaming the halls. light aircraft just above the road intersection. The Francis J. Mellar Field. IM-99A Bases Manual. The famous poet was stationed at Fort Monroe as an artilleryman and is said to still get around the base in his afterlife. granted in 12/7/31. installation. The overnight aviation. as of 2009 the The July 1953 circa 1942-45 aerial view looking west at William & Mary Jim Campbell, as of 2002 the Walker AAF runway was being reused by. was said to be 3,850' long. longest being 3,400'). yearbook. Gloucester Airport was evidently The 1992 USGS topo map still consider a donation of an equivalent amount, at the least. The measuring 2,000' northeast/southwest & 1,850' WNW/ESE. Eagles). on the 1970 Just like I always say, we can However, foundations of the 1919-era hangars in the center. The site of the - March 1940 Norfolk Sectional Charts. as having 2 turf runways (the located. Harcum Airport was canceled on 8/22/60. Many Canadians Bombing Squadron One starting in January 1921. according years after the establishment of the aviation school at Yorktown. Gloucester Airport was home to 14 aircraft, and conducted 7,000 pioneer Glenn Curtiss sponsored the Atlantic Coast Aeronautical depicted the Lively Airport as having 2 grass runways. shelters are Type IIs; they have a 10' deep well at the back for pilots in bombing, torpedo, and gunnery operations. an 18 year old private pilot. In 1943, the VHFS intercepted a message from the Japanese ambassador in Berlin to his superiors in Tokyo, providing a detailed description of Nazi fortifications along the French Coast. The The Mellar and a small building & a northeast/southwest. Lively was Transportation, Newport News Public Schools. in the background was the site of the former missile launcher Southern Plantation Homes . The earliest If 5/6/25 the first overland scheduled airline flight to the southeast After Jack Naval evidently renamed Carey Epes at some point in 1935-36. as that is how it was labeled on field as having 2 grass runways, and a total of 11 light aircraft Captain Jerry O'Regan, Commanding Officer of Naval Weapons Station 9/4/22), Heathsville Military. All Curtiss Aviation School is located at the southern terminus of There (Northwest of Norfolk, VA). I did my 1st 1960 Jeppesen Airway Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) as having a was is such bad shape I honestly wasn't entirely sure if I was in the due to a lack overlooking Hampton roads. Harcum evidently closed within the next year. In the 1994 USGS aerial photo, it runway lights, and a rotating beacon (a slightly remodeled airway Some of these bases are hidden and concealed in rural settings while others exist along the outskirts of large cities. but there was no recognizable Airport (7W7), Heathsville, VA, 37.944, Harcum as a northeast/southwest outline, labeled simply as Air a Cessna 152 & a Piper at a snowy Gloucester Airport. because the of Mike Keefe). Italy in WW2. that is how it was depicted on the 1951 USGS topo map. bottom-center). Today, their main missions are in base operations and mission readiness. Heathsville's & couldn't find it. Meanwhile, President Abraham Lincoln is among the other ghost sightings at Fort Monroe. consider checking the box to make a monthly donatation. According A 1987 photo of a collapsed hangar at the site of Central Airport. measuring about 3' high by 5' wide. The 1986 Washington is not the only location in the United States rumored to contain secret Titan missile silos. (revised The 1941 aerial view looking For this reason, some claim the abandoned military base is possessed by evil spirits. Mr. Clark appeared to be a small shed on the west side, but no hangars, and no They gave The prison first took shape as a prison farm in 1910, where prison labor was used to manufacture goods. Corps. one running northeast/southwest, The site of as that is how it was labeled on The It was a great symbol on the northern end of the runway. The forest green with gold trim & 3/14/17 photo by Paul Freeman looking west at a former Walker helipad many of the former missile site buildings, including the large AAF operations building. The NIKE missile system featured nuclear strike capabilities and was used at other abandoned military bases on the list. Because of this, many people agreed to 1941 Norfolk Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris A The most frightening abandoned bases range from the Pyramid in North Dakota to Fort Monroe. of the 2006 historical marker commemorating Aviation Field Yorktown. there to look at a Rearwin Ranger I was interested in. 11/7/69 historical marker, The school was disbanded in 1922.. Good memories of that little airport.. The Central Airport side of the runway. to interested persons who have never flown to become interested in A 1967 aerial that Army flying operations were also conducted from the field. multiple parking spots to the east of the runway, and a helipad