Area 51 Military Facility, Social Phenomenon and State of Mind Area 51, also known as Groom Lake, is a secret military facility about 90 miles north of Las Vegas. The number refers to a 6-by-10-mile block of land, at the center of which is a large air base the government will not discuss. The site was selected in the mid-1950s for testing of the U-2 spyplane, due to its remoteness, proximity to existing facilities and presence of a dry lake bed for landings. Groom Lake is America's traditional testing ground for "black budget" aircraft before they are publicly acknowledged. The facility and surrounding areas are also associated -- with varying levels of credibility -- with UFO and conspiracy stories. In 1989, Bob Lazar claimed on a Las Vegas television station that he had worked with alien spacecraft at Papoose Lake, south of Area 51. Since then, "Area 51" has become a popular symbol for the alleged U.S. Government UFO cover-up. [GC 8/96] The page below is an entry point into the largest public database of information on the base and surrounding areas, assembled by the [old] Area 51 Research Center. Much about Area 51 remains a mystery, but here's what we do know. Recent information (2002): Tikaboo Peak Hiking Information

Bob Lazar - True or False? Created: 6/20/95