America’s abandoned military bases showcase centuries of defense evolution. You’ll find Fort Ord’s infantry training grounds in California, Wurtsmith Air Force Base’s Cold War legacy in Michigan, Fort Totten’s harbor defenses in New York, Camp Hero’s mysterious radar facility at Montauk, Fort Stevens’ WWII attack site in Oregon, Loring AFB’s nuclear deterrent in Maine, and Nekoma’s short-lived missile complex in North Dakota. Each installation reveals strategic priorities that shaped American military doctrine through distinct eras.
Key Takeaways
- Fort Ord in California was the first racially integrated military base in the U.S. before its closure in 1994.
- Fort Totten preserves over 100 historic structures spanning Civil War to Cold War military architectural developments.
- Fort Stevens witnessed the only WWII attack on continental U.S. soil and features accessible underground military engineering.
- Camp Hero on Long Island was disguised as a fishing village and later transformed into a Cold War radar station.
- Wurtsmith and Loring Air Force Bases were critical Strategic Air Command installations housing nuclear deterrents during the Cold War.
Fort Ord: California’s Historic Military Training Ground
While standing as a proof to America’s military preparedness throughout the 20th century, Fort Ord originated in 1917 as the modest Gigling Reservation for artillery training before General “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell oversaw its significant expansion and official designation in 1940.
You’ll find this 28,000-acre coastal installation served as the nation’s primary infantry training center during the Vietnam War, hosting the 7th Infantry Division until its 1994 closure.
The base’s strategic location along Monterey Bay facilitated decades of tactical operations across its extensive terrain, which included artillery ranges and underground bunkers.
Today, Fort Ord National Monument, established in 2012, preserves both military heritage and environmental conservation efforts.
While exploring its trails, you’ll encounter remnants of a once-bustling military community—abandoned barracks standing as silent sentinels to America’s wartime preparedness. It made history as the first racially integrated military base in the United States, setting an important precedent for equality in the armed forces.
The base notably trained the Tenth Mountain Division, whose soldiers demonstrated exceptional valor during combat operations in Italy during World War II.
Wurtsmith Air Force Base: Michigan’s Cold War Legacy
From the coastal military installations of California, we shift our attention to the northern defenses that guarded America’s heartland. Established in 1923 as Loud-Reames Aviation Field near Oscoda, Michigan, Wurtsmith evolved from a humble winter training ground into a critical Cold War stronghold.
When designated a Strategic Air Command base in 1960, Wurtsmith housed the 379th Bombardment Wing with nuclear-armed B-52 Stratofortresses on constant alert. During periods of heightened tension, flight crews maintained 15-minute alert status to counter potential Soviet threats.
You’ll appreciate how these strategic operations formed America’s nuclear deterrence triad, with bombers ready for immediate deployment should Soviet aggression escalate. The base achieved notable recognition when the 379th Bombardment Wing received the prestigious Fairchild Trophy in 1987 for being the best B-52 and KC-135 unit.
Decommissioned in 1993 after 70 years of service, Wurtsmith’s legacy includes both military significance and environmental challenges, as it later became a Superfund site requiring extensive remediation of groundwater contamination.
Fort Totten: Defending New York’s Harbor Since the Civil War
You’ll witness a remarkable evolution of battery defense systems at Fort Totten, from its Civil War-era granite fortifications to Cold War Nike missile installations.
The site preserves over 100 historic structures, including Romanesque Revival officers’ quarters and earthworks that showcase four distinct periods of military architectural development.
Fort Totten’s strategic position at Willets Point exemplifies how urban coastal defenses adapted to changing threats against New York Harbor from 1857 through the 1960s. Originally established as the Fort at Willets Point in 1857, it became an integral part of New York’s harbor defense system during a critical period in American military history. During World War II, it functioned as a vital command center with anti-aircraft guns and radar systems protecting the city from potential aerial attacks.
Battery Defense Evolution
Standing as a demonstration to America’s evolving coastal defense strategy, Fort Totten exemplifies the dramatic shift in military fortification technology from the Civil War through World War II.
You’ll witness the progression of coastal artillery firsthand—from the original 68-gun design drafted by Robert E. Lee to the concrete batteries constructed between 1892-1902.
The fort’s transformation mirrors America’s advancing military technology, as heavy mortars replaced Civil War-era cannons, only to be rendered obsolete themselves by 1935.
During WWII, Fort Totten adapted to modern warfare as headquarters for the Eastern Defense Command, hosting anti-aircraft missile battalions.
The 66th Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion and 41st AAA Gun Battalion operated from here, with strategic emplacements across nearby islands.
This evolution ultimately concluded with the fort’s decommissioning, a demonstration of how rapidly advancing technology can obsolete even the most formidable defenses.
The fort’s historic significance is further cemented by its establishment as the Engineer School of Application in 1869, where military personnel received specialized training in underwater minefield technology and deployment.
While many of the structures remain abandoned today, the site includes over 100 historic buildings spanning approximately 200 years of American military history.
Urban History Preserved
While these coastal defenses evolved in response to military threats, Fort Totten represents more than just shifting military technology—it stands as a living museum of American urban history.
You’ll discover over 100 historic structures spanning four major construction periods, showcasing the evolution of military architecture from the Civil War through the Cold War. The fort’s Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne Style officers’ quarters tell stories of changing American military life, while the decaying Army hospital offers raw urban exploration opportunities despite safety restrictions. Originally designed by Robert E. Lee in 1857 before the Civil War began, the fort maintains this important historical connection.
Though partially reclaimed by nature, Fort Totten now serves multiple purposes—NYPD and FDNY training grounds, public park, and walking tour destination. The fort was renamed in 1898 to honor Chief Engineer Joseph G. Totten who modified Lee’s initial design.
Despite funding challenges threatening preservation, this Queens landmark continues to guard significant chapters of American strategic history, offering you direct access to New York’s defensive past in an increasingly rare urban military complex.
Camp Hero: Montauk Point’s Mysterious Military Past
Situated at the eastern tip of Long Island, Camp Hero stands as a remarkable remnant of America’s coastal defense strategy, where military ingenuity met wartime necessity during the turbulent 1940s.
You’ll discover a 278-acre military installation cleverly disguised as a New England fishing village, complete with concrete gun batteries camouflaged behind fake cottages and a gymnasium masquerading as a church.
The base’s Cold War evolution saw it transform into a radar station monitoring Soviet threats until 1981.
Today, the Montauk Mystique persists through infamous conspiracy theories about Secret Experiments in time travel and mind control. While these claims remain unsubstantiated, the abandoned radar tower and eroded bunkers continue to fuel speculation.
As you explore Camp Hero State Park, you’re walking through layered military history hidden in plain sight.
Fort Stevens: Site of the Only WWII Attack on Continental US Soil
Fort Stevens withstood the June 21-22, 1942 attack by Japanese submarine I-25, which fired 17 shells at Battery Russell in the only enemy bombardment of a mainland U.S. military installation since the War of 1812.
You’ll discover a strategic coastal defense system that evolved from its Civil War origins in 1863 to a WWII fortification, complete with 12-inch mortars and disappearing guns that never returned fire during the attack.
The fort’s underground artillery emplacements, ammunition magazines, and command bunkers remain accessible for exploration within Oregon’s Fort Stevens State Park, offering a rare glimpse into continental U.S. defensive posture during wartime operations.
Japanese Submarine Attack
Fort Stevens’ gunners maintained blackout discipline, refusing to return fire to avoid revealing their positions.
The coastal defense site, equipped with outdated Endicott-era 10-inch disappearing guns, sustained minimal damage—only a baseball backstop, power line, and landscape disruption. No casualties occurred.
This attack was part of a broader Pacific Northwest harassment campaign.
Though tactically insignificant, this first foreign attack on mainland U.S. soil since 1812 intensified West Coast defenses and military alertness throughout 1942.
Civil War to WWII
Originally constructed in 1864 during the American Civil War, Fort Stevens developed from a simple earthwork fortification into a sophisticated coastal defense installation that would ultimately witness the only attack on continental U.S. soil during World War II.
As part of a defensive trio authorized by Congress in 1862, the fort protected the strategically essential Columbia River mouth. Its military significance spanned multiple conflicts, evolving from Civil War coastal defense to a complex WWII installation featuring Battery Russell, tunnels, and reinforced concrete bunkers.
After Japanese submarine I-25 fired 17 shells at the fort in 1942—the first foreign attack on mainland U.S. military base since 1812—commanders ordered no return fire to avoid revealing gun positions.
The fort remained operational until 1947 before converting to a state park in 1955.
Underground Military Marvels
Beneath Fort Stevens‘ weathered exterior lies a remarkable network of underground military engineering that witnessed the only foreign attack on continental U.S. soil during World War II.
On June 21, 1942, Japanese submarine I-25 fired 17 shells at this coastal defense installation, marking the first foreign assault since the War of 1812.
You’ll navigate thick concrete tunnels designed to withstand artillery bombardment while exploring this strategic Columbia River outpost.
The fort’s underground casemates housed command operations essential for defending Pacific Northwest shipping lanes.
When attacked, commanders maintained blackout conditions and withheld counterfire to preserve gun positions—tactical discipline that exemplifies wartime engineering priorities.
Today, these preserved subterranean structures within Fort Stevens State Park offer you direct access to authentic military history while supporting recreational freedom across its historic grounds.
Loring Air Force Base: Maine’s Nuclear Deterrence Stronghold
Situated strategically in Aroostook County of northeastern Maine, Loring Air Force Base emerged as a cornerstone of America’s nuclear deterrence strategy during the Cold War.
As America faced Soviet threats, this remote Maine airfield became the nuclear chessboard’s most critical square.
You’ll find its Cold War Architecture sprawled across an impressive 14,300 acres, making it one of Strategic Air Command‘s largest installations.
The base’s Strategic Significance can’t be overstated—its proximity to the Arctic Circle provided SAC bombers the shortest possible route to Soviet targets.
Maine’s northeastern tip represented America’s closest continental point to Europe, an essential geographic advantage in nuclear deterrence calculations.
When you visit today, you’re standing on what military planners deliberately selected as America’s ideal position for projecting power across the North Atlantic—a reflection of strategic military planning during an era of unprecedented geopolitical tension.
Nekoma Missile Base: North Dakota’s Three-Day Wonder
Known as the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex, this Cold War relic near Nekoma represents America’s fleeting experiment with ballistic missile defense.
You’ll find the distinctive pyramid-shaped Missile Site Radar structure dominating the landscape—a technological marvel designed to detect Soviet ICBMs threatening our Minuteman silos.
Nekoma history is defined by its astonishingly brief operational window. After costing $2-6 billion, the complex achieved full capability on October 1, 1975, only to be decommissioned February 10, 1976.
Rumors persist it was actually “switched on” for merely three days.
The site’s ABM technology featured 30 long-range nuclear Spartan missiles and 16 short-range Sprint missiles—revolutionary systems meant to intercept incoming Soviet warheads.
Congressional concerns about effectiveness against Soviet MIRV technology and the 1972 SALT I treaty ultimately doomed this ambitious defense project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Special Permission Required to Visit These Abandoned Military Sites?
90% of abandoned military sites require authorization. You’ll need to navigate the permission process since most remain restricted government property. Visit regulations mandate background checks and official clearance before exploration is allowed.
What Safety Concerns Should Visitors Be Aware Of?
You’ll face hazardous materials like PCBs, PFAS, and asbestos, plus compromised structural integrity with collapsing walls and unstable floors. Protective gear is essential; chemical exposure can trigger long-term health effects.
Are There Guided Tours Available at These Locations?
Ever wondered what secrets lie behind those massive blast doors? You’ll find guided exploration opportunities at many abandoned bases, including Fort Knox and Devil’s Slide Bunker, showcasing their historical significance through expertly narrated tours.
Can You Legally Take Artifacts Found at These Bases?
No, you can’t legally take artifacts from these sites. Removing items constitutes federal theft as artifact ownership remains with the government, carrying serious legal implications even on “abandoned” bases.
Do Any Sites Have Restrictions During Certain Seasons?
Yes, you’ll encounter seasonal access limitations at most abandoned bases due to weather hazards, environmental remediation work, and preservation efforts. Restricted areas expand during winter storms, flooding, and scheduled cleanup operations.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_former_United_States_Army_installations
- https://thedesigninspiration.com/news/facts/these-15-abandoned-military-bases-will-leave-you-speechless/
- https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/abandoned-military-bases/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Closed_installations_of_the_United_States_Navy
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcX5nv0XhCA
- https://www.epa.gov/fedfacts/base-realignment-and-closure-act-sites
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYe6MXx_3rE
- https://veteran.com/underground-military-bases/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlafRXpqWvQ
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl4FPjj0Otg
