Burbank in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
U-2
1953
| | Lockheed | |
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 23, 2025
1. U-2 Marker
The initial designs for what would become the U-2 were created by Lockheed engineering guru Clarence "Kelly" Johnson in 1953. Working under the cloak of secrecy in the famed Skunk Works division, Johnson envisioned a light high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft capable of flying above the reach of Soviet anti-aircraft fire. The U-2 borrowed its sleek looks from the profile of a traditional sailplane. Its long, tapered wing - one third the weight of what was normal at the time - allowed it to fly missions covering a range of 3,000 miles and carry up to 700 pounds of the latest photoreconnaissance equipment to a staggering and unprecedented altitude of 70,000 feet.
Erected 2021 by Invesco; Overton Moore Properties; and artist Richard Deutsch.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.
Location. 34° 12.214′ N, 118° 21.055′ W. Marker is in Burbank, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from Tulare Avenue west of Hollywood Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3010
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley the San Fernando Valley, in Greater Los Angeles, and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: SR-71 Blackbird (within shouting distance of this marker); F-104 Starfighter (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); F-117 Nighthawk (about 500 feet away); F-22 Raptor (approx. 0.2 miles away); P-80 Shooting Star (approx. 0.2 miles away); P-38 Lightning (approx. Ό mile away); Amelia Earhart (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bobbi Trout (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burbank.
More about this marker. Located in an industrial park which used to be the location of Lockheed Skunk Works, where the
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 23, 2025
2. U-2 Marker
Regarding U-2. In the 1980s a larger, more capable version of the U-2 was developed, called the TR-1. In the 1990s it was renamed the U-2 to honor the legacy of the original design. The photos and diagrams on this historical marker show the newer version.
courtesy USAF
3. U-2 #001, 56-6703
Delivered in 1957, this is the first U-2 built.
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. U-2, built in 1957
On display at Blackbird Airpark in Palmdale, near todays Lockheed Skunk Works.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 15, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on September 13, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on July 23, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
