Findings of Fact, Site Location, and Information on
Topock Gap Filler Annex SM-162H based on information provided by US Army Corps of Engineers Formerly Used Defense
Site (FUDS) J09AZ0650 of August 20, 1992
Site Location
App 34 - 43 - 24 North and 114 - 15 - 22 West.
South of Franconia, AZ on the National Old Trails Road, approximately 25 miles southeast of Needles, CA and 17-1/2 miles north of Lake Havasu City, AZ.
Site History and Findings of Fact
DOD use of the site began in 1955 as a radar station. Norton AFB constructed a radar building, latrine, security fence, radar tower, 16,000 gallon underground fuel storage tank, gravel sidewalk and road in 1955.
The site was deactivated and reported excess by the Air Force in 1961. It was transferred to the Army on April 25, 1962 and subsequently to the BLM on August 14, 1962.
The site has not been used since being vacated by the DOD.
BLM records and the 1992 site visit report indicate the site has been vandalized, with several holes having been made in the building walls. BLM has removed all salvageable items from the structure, with only the building shell remaining.
Windows in the building have been removed, all doors have been broken, interior roof supports are loose and suspended vent piping supports have deteriorated.
The 16,000 gallon underground storage tank is still in place.
Site Map
Site and vicinity maps are included in the report.