Area 51 in 1965 (click photo to enlarge)
This excellent close-up aerial photo of Area 51 shows the base as it looked in 1965. Most of the buildings are still in place today, as part of what is now the north end of the base. The four large hangars in the foreground are hangars 4-7 (building #200, 202, 206 and 208), which were used for the A-12 and YF-12 development. Later they were used for "foreign technology" items, such as fully operational MiG fighter jets, and became known as "Red Hat Hangars". Behind them are the U-2 hangars, the oldest hangars of the base, followed by a group of administration and operations buildings.
The large building on the left is the Base Supply and Administration Building (building #265). Next to it is the Dining Hall (building #267) and the Base Headquarters (#269). On the far right is the recreation complex, including the building that later became known as "Sam's Place" (building #170), a gym and swimming pool. Behind it, partly out of the frame, is the baseball field.
In the background are the old living quarters, which have since been replaced by more modern and more comfortable quarters. The runway is out of the frame to the left.
The photographer is unknown. With friendly permission by Roadrunners Internationale. The photo is also used in the new book Lockheed's Sr-71 'Blackbird' Family: A-12, F-12, M-21, D-21, Sr-71 by Jim Goodall and Jay Miller.