Welcome to the Vetter Mountain Fire Lookout Tower in the Angeles National Forest. As you can see from the spectacular vistas, Vetter Mountain is an ideal location for a fire lookout.
The Vetter Mountain Lookout was constructed in 1937 and . . . — — Map (db m201274) HM
Built in 1900 alongside the West Fork of the San Gabriel River and north of Mt. Wilson, the historic cabin was the first ranger station built in California with federal government funds - $75. In the late 1920's, new roads into the mountains . . . — — Map (db m154560) HM
This grove presented by the
California State Society of the
Daughters of the American Revolution
in honor of
Mrs. John Whittier Howe Hodge,
State Regent 1938-1940,
commemorating the
D.A.R. Society's Fiftieth Anniversary. — — Map (db m291772) HM
Tractor racing returned to the
Rural Olympics with the introduction
of the Antique Tractor Race in 1982.
Red Dog won in 1984 and set a new
record in 1986.
He won this race eight times and was
in the top three places nearly every
year.
Leesa . . . — — Map (db m245908) HM
Site of ancient Indian villages.
It was built in 1928 by H.A. Edwards.
It was purchased and enlarged, 1938-1941, by Grace Oliver.
The museum opened in 1941. — — Map (db m152544) HM
Arthur B. "Art" Ripley came to the Antelope Valley in 1929. Mr.
Ripley grew wheat and barley on a portion of his property
until he retired in 1972. However, he did not develop a
significant part of the land, thereby preserving a stand of . . . — — Map (db m242086) HM
Arthur Warren "Kit" Murray was instrumental in pioneering the techniques of air-to-air fueling and the development of talk-down techniques for landing experimental aircraft. As a flight test pilot at Edwards AFB, he flew programs on the X-1A and . . . — — Map (db m188678) HM
Chuck Yeager logged over 10,000 hours in 180 different military aircraft, including foreign and experimental rocket aircraft.
In 1947 Yeager, piloting the X-1, broke Mach 1 at Edwards AFB. He continued to fly the X-1 as a research vehicle and . . . — — Map (db m123598) HM
In the 1940s Jane S. Pinheiro, a local resident and self-taught wildflower artist, became concerned that rapid growth in the Antelope Valley was
endangering wildflower fields. Jane's dream was to have a "Poppy Park" to protect the official . . . — — Map (db m189239) HM
Edwards Air Force Base is
named for Captain Glen W.
Edwards who died in 1948 in
the crash of a YB-49 Flying
Wing experimental bomber
he was testing.
As a pilot of an A-20 "Havoc"
bomber during World War II,
he flew more than 50 . . . — — Map (db m278267) HM
Iven Carl Kincheloe was the
"first of the Spacemen". In
September 1956, he was the
first human to fly beyond
100,000 feet when he piloted
the Bell X-2 (#1) to 126,200 feet
(23.9 miles). He was the holder
of several X-2 records.
A . . . — — Map (db m223398) HM
Colonel Stephens distinguished himself in flight test, flying nearly all of the jet fighter aircraft from the F-80 Shooting Star to the F-106 Delta Dart. He graduated from the Experimental Test Pilot School in 1949.
Called the . . . — — Map (db m79153) HM
Colonel Frank Borman led the first American astronauts to circle the moon, extending
man's horizons into space as Commander of Apollo 8 in 1968. He had commanded
Gemini 7 to the first rendezvous of spacecraft in orbit.
After his 1960 . . . — — Map (db m223402) HM
The Flight Test Mission Control Center at Edwards Air Force Base is named for Colonel Ridley who lost his life in 1957 in the crash of a C-47 aircraft while serving on the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group in Japan.
Ridley was a pioneer . . . — — Map (db m66504) HM
Colonel Jacobs received the Legion of Merit for meritorious service as Director and test pilot on the C-5A Test Force. It was at the time, one of the world's largest aircraft.
During his 46 years in aerospace, Jacobs logged more than 10,600 . . . — — Map (db m66503) HM
Pete Knight was one of four Air Force pilots selected to pilot the Dyna-Soar (X-20) aircraft, the first Air Force space program. He was one of eight X-15 pilots to earn his astronaut wings by flying an airplane in space (280,000 feet).
Knight . . . — — Map (db m123639) HM WM
This large wiry creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) before you, the only creosote bush in this woodland, is about 10 feet high and 20 feet in diameter; it has been estimated to be nearly 800 years old by botanists. This may be the oldest . . . — — Map (db m145769) HM
D-558-II Skyrocket, sister
aircraft of the first aircraft
to fly faster than twice
the speed of sound,
established many aeronautical
advances in the skies over
the Antelope Valley.
Three of these aircraft
were manufactured by . . . — — Map (db m217006) HM
This F/A-18 Hornet (bureau number 161214) is a pre-production A-Model airplane whose first prototype rolled out of the McDonnell Douglas Plant on September 13, 1978. The Carrier-based Naval strike fighter did not become operational for several . . . — — Map (db m114757) HM
Panel 1: On loan from the United States Air Force, this F-4 Phantom II was acquired on November 7, 2001 from Edwards Air Force Base and transported to the Boeing Company facility at USAF Plant 42. Boeing volunteers worked many hours to . . . — — Map (db m51280) HM
Lt. Colonel Fitzhugh L. "Fitz" Fulton, Jr., USAF
Fitz Fulton flew more than
16,000 flight hours in 235 different aircraft types. He tested
most of the military bombers
and transports developed between 1950 and 1990.
Some . . . — — Map (db m278491) HM
Fred Haise is best known as the Lunar Module Pilot who, in 1970, was a crewmember on the dramatic Apollo 13 aborted lunar mission. Due to an oxygen tank explosion, the crew had to utilize the Lunar Module "Aquarius" as a lifeboat. This mission will . . . — — Map (db m69508) HM
As Northrops Chief Test Pilot for advanced fighter aircraft, Hank Chouteau helped develop dozens of new or modified aircraft, participating in aircraft design, development, test flights and marketing.
Chouteau logged more than 7,300 flight . . . — — Map (db m66501) HM
Salmon was a natural as a
test pilot. He was best known
for his special ability to "out
guess" troubled aircraft and to
"feel" with the plane. Salmon
was a specialist in structural
integrity tests on fighter-type
aircraft.
Born in . . . — — Map (db m278259) HM
Jacqueline Cochran (1906-1980), a pioneer in women's
aviation, held more distance and speed records during
her lifetime than any pilot living or dead. In 1971, she
was the first living woman to be inducted into the
National Aviation Hall of . . . — — Map (db m223403) HM
John Manke was a NASA Research Pilot for more than 11 years and has flown over 4,500 hours. His career was highlighted by NASA research flights to test lifting body aircraft, preparing the way for the Space Shuttle and follow-on space programs. . . . — — Map (db m66505) HM
Jack McKay died in 1975--20 years to the day after his first rocket flight. He had retired from NASA four years earlier, climaxing a 20-year flying career at Edwards in which he become one of the Centers most experienced rocket pilots. In the 50's . . . — — Map (db m66496) HM
This monument is dedicated to
the brave men and women that honorable served
in the Armed Forces of the United States of America
in time of peace, wars and conflict.
The freedom of this great nation is only possible
because of the sacrifice of . . . — — Map (db m66336) WM
Water Wagon ca. 1908-1913
This water wagon
was used by George W. Lane
during the construction of
the Los Angeles Aqueduct
through the Antelope Valley.
George moved to the
Antelope Valley in 1908 and
was a mule skinner by . . . — — Map (db m245924) HM
Colonel Ferry distinguished himself in helicopters. Although he began his career as a fighter pilot, he became expert in helicopters, where he made his mark in 24 years of flight testing. He has flown 10,800 hours in 125 different aircraft, nearly . . . — — Map (db m79154) HM
Jimmy Doolittle played an important role in the development of Air Force research at Edwards AFB. He was one of the founding fathers of Systems Command (Air Force Research and Development Command). Through the late 1980's, Doolittle made annual . . . — — Map (db m120207) HM
Max R. Stanley logged more
than 8,000 flight hours to become known as the "Dean of
Northrop Test Pilots." He flew
the first flights of all models of
the Northrop P-61 Black Widow
except the initial XP-61.
Stanley flew for . . . — — Map (db m278263) HM
Neil Armstrong is best known as commander of the three-man team who, in 1969, piloted the first lunar landing module to the Moons surface. One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind was the phrase Armstrong used to describe the . . . — — Map (db m117496) HM
Brig. General Frank Kendall "Pete" Everest, Jr. (USAF Retired)
Pete Everest has played an
active part in testing and developing all USAF planes at
Edwards AFB. He was Chief of
the Flight Test Operations Division from 1950-1956. . . . — — Map (db m278483) HM
In remembrance of those who lost their lives in the St. Francis Dam disaster March 12-13, 1928. This was one of Californias greatest disasters with over 400 lives lost; five of whom were laid to rest at Lancaster Cemetery. — — Map (db m143730) HM
Thomas McMurtry logged over 11,000 hours of flying time since earning his pilot's wings in 1958. A graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School, he flew the U-2, X-246, F-8A, AD-1, YF-12C, F-104, F-15 and NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. . . . — — Map (db m66507) HM
"....the privileges of being an American" belong to those brave enough to fight for them."
Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.
In our tradition of honoring American aviators who have flown into the pages of history, the City of Lancaster . . . — — Map (db m53030) HM
This buiding, erected by the Gilroy family in 1876, this building was purchased in 1902 by George T. Webber, who operated it as the Western Hotel. The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce was organized in its dining room. Between 1905 and 1913, . . . — — Map (db m53028) HM
William H. Dana piloted the
famed X-15 research airplane.
He flew the rocket-powered
aircraft 16 times, reaching a top
speed of 3,897 miles per hour
and a peak altitude of 307,000
feet (over 58 miles).
Dana served as a pilot in . . . — — Map (db m263681) HM
Old Leona School,
1915-1939.
Future museum
of Leona Valley and
the West A.V. Historical
Society.
Leona Valley
Schoolhouse -
California Point of
Historical Interest - 2013. — — Map (db m248078) HM
Butterfield-Havilah Stagecoach House 1870 - 1900,
and
served as a community hall - 1890's,
Littlerock, California.
Dedicated by
Antelope Society - Children of the American Revolution, May of 1976. — — Map (db m240916) HM
Born in Duluth, Minnesota, on February 14th, 1913. In the 1930s he won the junior pilot aerobatic meet, barnstormed the country, operated two flying schools and competed in air races. In 1941 he joined the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation and tested . . . — — Map (db m115527) HM
SN: 01
Date Acquire: 2004
From: Lockheed
Displayed: 2010
The A-4 cockpit trainer was constructed by Lockheed to train pilots in the use of the newly installed controls found in the modified A-4AR Argentina aircraft.
A-4AR . . . — — Map (db m115176) HM
SN M-024
Date Acquired 6-27-07
From Oklahoma City
Date Displayed 6-27-07
The Hound Dog was originally designated B-77, was re-designated
GAM-77 and then became the AGM-28. North American Aviation
designed the missile so . . . — — Map (db m279793) HM
Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman Corporation
Production Period: 1993 to 1997
Number Produced: 21
Production Series: Production Blocks 10, 20, and 30
Roles: Originally designed as a land-based all-weather intercontinental . . . — — Map (db m47722) HM
[Panel #1]
Blackbird Wind Tunnel Model
(One-Twelfth Scale)
Aircraft models such as this are used in high-speed wind tunnels to test aerodynamic shapes, stresses, and temperatures. This particular model was used for testing all . . . — — Map (db m149742) HM
Riedenauer was born in Fresno, California in
1916. Bob Riedenauer flew the F-104 we have at the
Airpark. He is the only test pilot to have flown the
U-2, the SR-71 and the F-117, highlighting a
military and civilian flight test career that . . . — — Map (db m279806) HM
Left Panel:
General Information
Manufacturer: McDonnell Aircraft (later McDonnell-Douglas and The Boeing Company)
Production Period: 1957 to 1961
Number Produced: 885 total all sources
Production Series: F-101A, B & C, RF-101A, . . . — — Map (db m149743) HM
F-105
A/C SN: 62-4416
Date Acquired: August 1998
From: Loan, USAF George AFB, CA
Displayed: October 1998
Manufactured by Republic Aviation, Farmingdale NY and gained
by the USAF on 27 Nov 1963.
1964: To 4th . . . — — Map (db m279608) HM
A/C SN: 164350
Date Acquired: October, 2006
From: Loan, US Navy
Displayed: December, 2006
Built by Grumman Corp. (now Northrop Grumman Corp.), the
F-14 Tomcat spent more than 30 years in service. The fighters
were . . . — — Map (db m279799) HM
James J. Stegman
1920 - 2009
Born Aug 23, 1920, in Offerle, Kansas. He was the 6th son of 18 children. In 1940, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a Private. As he worked up in rank to Sergeant, he also was sent to pilot school. He received . . . — — Map (db m47729) HM
Joseph "Joe" Potter Davies, Jr., was born in 1923 and joined the Army Air Corps in 1943. By the
time he had finished training, World War II had come to an end, but he continued his military
career. Joe married his wife, Audria, "Audie," in . . . — — Map (db m279362) HM
Monty Odett believed in and continuously worked for progress and development in the Antelope Valley. The Antelope Valley Freeway will remain a lasting testimonial to his dedication.
Concrete monument to the cooperation between community . . . — — Map (db m190175)
SN: Unkown
Date Acquired: June 1, 2008
From: US Air Force
Displayed: July 30, 2008
This Units History
Was used on the F-117 program as a test load.
The MK-20 Rockeye is a free-fall, unguided Cluster Bomb Unit (CBU) designed to kill . . . — — Map (db m115175) HM
Model 143-Triumph
A/C SNN143SC
Acquired May, 2006
From Burt Rutan, Scaled Composites (Donated)
Displayed March, 2007
Scaled Composites was purchased by Raytheon, the parent
company of Beech Aircraft. Rutan was tasked . . . — — Map (db m279361) HM
The Palmdale Cemetery is one of
the last vestiges of "Palmenthal",
the area's original settlement
established in 1886, and the humble
beginnings of the city of Palmdale.
This is the final resting place for
several of Palmdale's pioneer . . . — — Map (db m224926) HM
Built in 1886.
Dedicated to the Citizens of Palmdale, CA, October 16, 1986.
On April 10, 1888 the Palmdale School District was formed and this building served as its first school. The school, located near 27th East & Ave R-8, was attended . . . — — Map (db m53031) HM
Stanley P Butchart
1928 - 2008
After receiving primary and secondary civilian pilot training. Butchart enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1942. Upon his completion of flight training at Corpus Christi, Tex., he joined torpedo-bomber Air . . . — — Map (db m47723) HM
With more than 150 "First Flight" records and numerous milestones in flight, the Antelope Valley has been home to Aerospace throughout the century. These numerous accomplishments include:
-Air Force Capt. Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager's breaking of . . . — — Map (db m149747) HM
One of the most outstanding geological features in California, extending for over 650 miles from Point Arena, north of San Francisco, to south of San Gorgonio Pass, between twenty and thirty miles deep and more than a mile wide in some . . . — — Map (db m149749) HM
William J. "Pete" Knight
(November 18, 1929 May 8, 2004) was a combat pilot, test pilot, Astronaut, and US politician. Knight holds the worlds speed record for flight in a winged powered aircraft. Knight enlisted in the United States Air . . . — — Map (db m118711) HM
First Run: 1 October 1948
Developed from British Sapphire, the Wright J-65 was an axial-flow turbojet engine produced by Curtiss-Wright under license from Armstrong Siddeley. Curtiss-Wright purchased a license for the Sapphire in 1950, with plans . . . — — Map (db m115174) HM
The Lazy T is one of the
original Ritter family homesteads
of the late 18th & early 19th century.
This ranch was at one time part of
over 12,000 acres owned and worked
by the Ritter brothers as a: Cattle
ranch, almond orchard, dry . . . — — Map (db m155711) HM
The hills where you stand are a part of one of the world's geological wonders, The San Andreas Rift - A great fault and earthquake zone.
Because of the movements along this fault zone, the pink and tan colored Punchbowl rocks seen below . . . — — Map (db m115197)
"Future generations will remember Jackie Robinson, not as
the base runner who worried pitchers to their doom, but as the
proud crusader against pompous bigots and timid sentinels
of the status quo -- as the symbol of a new Negro American!" . . . — — Map (db m245849) HM
