The Guthrie Radar Station

 

Think about this: People came from all over the U.S. and even world to work at this Radar Station in the early 50s.  And what did they find?  A remote mountain top with nothing for miles around.  The families, especially the women must have thought it was the end of the world.  (but at least it wasn't Alaska)  Back in the 50s, Sissonville Rd, the main highway to Charleston was a rough & tumble place, with many honky tonk beer joints and the fellas to go with them.  In the winter, it was hard to get off the hill and almost as hard to get to Charleston on that road. But somehow they all managed.

This is an original photo of the Guthrie Radar Station

And here are blow-ups of that same photo.

              

The Families.....

The Houses....

The homes for the family members were small to say the least, but still better than many military bases,  and they faced each other on one single street that was a dead end, so with the guards, it was a very safe place to live.  But then....

THE CLOSING....

When the Radar Base was abandoned, the nice homes were left to rot, but years later they were refurbished.

These homes were still in line to be refurbished...

For years, there was a big sign that said "Homes for sale",  and as each person purchased a home, the next one would be ready for the next buyer. Only one problem:  Thieves stole the refrigerators, washer & dryers, stoves, and anything they could carry, so those had to be replaced.  An interesting point to these homes is that they were very small, so additions were made to the fronts of the homes just to make them a bit larger, but even then.... most kitchens were in the basements.

The state of WV took over the compound in 1970 to use as a mental health facility, but by 1974, it wasn't enough....

Today

The facility is operated by the state of WV agriculture dept.  Below is the Google Earth view of the complex. At last visit, half of the homes were privately sold with people living in them.

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