Showing posts with label Utah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Utah. Show all posts

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Hill AFB/Utah Test and Training Range, Utah

The claim: Ogden, 968,774

What it really is: Hill Air Force Base is one of the only live fire Air Force bases in the country.

The base is also surrounded by residential areas.

Dugway Proving Ground, Utah

The claim: 1,315

What it really is: Dugway Proving Ground is an Army biological and chemical defensive testing ground with only a few buildings in the east that are clearly to small to be used as a prison camp.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Fort Douglas, Utah

The claim: This "inactive" military reservation has a renovated WWII concentration camp.

What it really is: The base closed in 1991, although it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975.

Most of buildings there were turned over to, and are now being used by the University of Utah. The former base also has it's own military museum there as well, which the Utah National Guard still maintains control of.

The base was used as a interment camp, but it was in World War One, and held German Americans.

Wendover, Utah

The claim: WWII internment camp may be renovated.

What it really is: There was no interment camp there. There was however a major Air Force base there, but it was closed down in 1965, and in 1975 the base was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1977 the land was deeded to the City of Wendover, and is now used as a civilian airport.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Cedar City, Utah

The claim: east of city - no data available.

What it really is: I can find nothing that would resemble a prison camp east of the city. Closet I can even come to would maybe be a few small warehouses.

Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah

The claim: West of Brigham City - contains a WWII internment camp that was built before the game preserve was established.

What it really is: What is true about this claim is that there is a migratory bird refuge west of Brigham City. What is not true is that a World War 2 internment camp was located in there.

There is a defense depot located in near by Ogden, that was used a POW camp during World War 2. The depot site itself was closed down in 1997, and while some buildings are still used by government agencies, the site has mostly been converted into a commercial and industrial park.

Skull Valley, Utah

The claim: southwestern Camp William property - east of the old bombing range. Camp was accidentally discovered by a man and his son who were rabbit hunting; they were discovered and apprehended. SW of Tooele.

What it really is: Camp William is a National Guard training site operated by the Utah National Guard. I've taken a look at the site on Google maps and there are no unusual buildings there, and nothing that looks like a prison camp.

As for the claim that a father and his son were apprehended while rabbit hunting on the base, that story is entirely possible since the base is out in the wilderness, and it is not open to the public (considering they do live fire training there, that would make logical sense). Assuming the story is even true to begin with, it's most likely just the result of misidentification, coupled with prejudice due to a negative experience.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Millard County, Utah

The claim: Central Utah - WWII Japanese camp. (Renovated?)

What it really is: There is a Japanese interment camp in Millard County called Topaz War Relocation Center. It's open to the public, and even has it's own museum called the Topaz Museum.