When was area 51 founded?

Answer 1

The area commonly called Area 51 is in reality Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Nellis AFB and its surrounding area is a testing ground for new and top secret military aircraft.

The AFB was established where Western Air Express Airlines had set up in 1929 using a dirt runway. In 1940, when the US Government was developing an air force and looking for suitable locations, they found the place, which by then was owned by the city of Las Vegas, appropriate to set up. The Las Vegas Army Air Corps Gunnery School was set up on what was called the Las Vegas Army Air Field. They found the place suitable because it had year round ideal flying weather; 90 percent of the area north was unpopulated public domain land, excellent for testing aircraft; the inland desert location was easily defended against attack (the US was at war with Japan).

In 1950, the installation was named after William Harrell Nellis, a Nevada native killed in action in Europe in 1944.

Because the base is a top secret military installation, restricted to the public, the public has been free to spin whatever folklore that suits their fancy; folklore that supports a thriving tourist industry in the area.

Answer 2

The area commonly called Area 51 is in reality Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Nellis AFB and its surrounding area is a testing ground for new and top secret military aircraft.

The AFB was established where Western Air Express Airlines had set up in 1929 using a dirt runway. In 1940, when the US Government was developing an air force and looking for suitable locations, they found the place, which by then was owned by the city of Las Vegas, appropriate to set up. The Las Vegas Army Air Corps Gunnery School was set up on what was called the Las Vegas Army Air Field. They found the place suitable because it had year round ideal flying weather; 90 percent of the area north was unpopulated public domain land, excellent for testing aircraft; the inland desert location was easily defended against attack (the US was at war with Japan).

In 1950, the installation was named after William Harrell Nellis, a Nevada native killed in action in Europe in 1944.

Because the base is a top secret military installation, restricted to the public, the public has been free to spin whatever folklore that suits their fancy; folklore that supports a thriving tourist industry in the area.