Explore The Abandoned US Air Force Base Sold On Facebook

Tour this relic of military history

This abandoned air force base in Gettysburg, South Dakota has definitely seen better days, but the sprawling former military site has outbuildings, land and secret features galore. It was put up for sale on Facebook Marketplace but what happened after that is a mystery...

Click or scroll through and let's take a tour of this fascinating property.

Sprawling site

Spanning 42 acres, the property lies outside of Gettysburg, South Dakota, and is surrounded by farmland for maximum security and privacy. This makes the air force base ideal for anyone looking to create an apocalypse-ready retreat – perfect for seeing out some sort of disaster. 

Bang for your buck

The site also happens to be within easy walking distance of the town center, meaning it offers the very best of both worlds. As well as endless land to play with, the listing also included countless outbuildings, such as the former barracks, an operations center, and a mess hall.

There are various old vehicles strewn around the site, too, which could be converted into unique homes or holiday rentals.

Original features

Here, you can see one the site's two radar towers, complete with its original radome. The white, waterproof dome would have been added to the structure to protect the radar antenna inside, and would have been constructed using a material that had minimal impact on the electromagnetic signal that the antenna was transmitting and receiving. How's that for a cool original feature?

The story begins

The property was constructed in 1955 by the contractor Lippert Brothers of Boone from Iowa, and taken on by the U.S. Air Force in January 1956.

Initially, the crew consisted of 25 airmen, three officers, and three civilians, who worked under the command of Captain A. M. Hedvall. According to FortWiki, a site dedicated to forts, camps, and stations across North America, the first meal was served in the newly constructed mess hall on February 21 1956.

Cold War defence centre

Gettysburg Air Force Station became fully operational in July 1956. The mission was not only to track and identify all aircraft entering the surrounding airspace, but also direct air force interceptors to any identified enemy aircraft. The base played a key role during the Cold War, too, and was just one of 28 sites selected for radar surveillance.

This image, featured in a previous Zillow listing, was captured in around 1963, and shows how the facility looked at the height of its use.

Important military site

During this period, the U.S. military operated hundreds of radar stations and missile defense bunkers across the country, to protect civilians from impending nuclear attack. 

This fascinating drawing by John Stanton highlights the layout of the air force station. From its accommodation halls to its recreation center, operations unit, and power plants, the base was clearly a well-oiled machine. 

All work, no play

This image, likely taken during the facility's prime, shows a military man posing in front of the Gettysburg Air Force Station sign. Workers likely put in long hours, living and working on the base with little downtime.

According to FortWiki, the station was divided into the main site, a cantonment (military camp) area, a housing area, and two radio sites. There was also a small 27-unit housing area for married personnel, which was relocated after the radar site closed. The remaining buildings were left in place.

Falling by the wayside

After the Cold War, there was little use for the property and it was deactivated in June 1968. Approximately one acre of land was retained by the government and the rest was left abandoned, leaving the site's once buzzing buildings to fall into a state of decay.

This image was taken in 2020 and shows the former cantonment area and GATR radio site.

Unlikely investment

For more than 50 years, the former military base sat empty, until it was snapped up by Lev Goukassian, a retired businessman from California, in 2007.

According to Aberdeen News, instead of investing in stock, the businessman put his money into properties across the country, although it doesn't look like Goukassian has done much in the way of upgrading the property during his ownership.

Liking this? Click on the Follow button above for more great stories from loveEXPLORING

Price hike

Goukassian listed the abandoned property on Facebook Marketplace in 2022, with an initial asking price of just under $1 million.

But, without explanation, the amount had been bumped up to a cool $4.5 million by the end of the week. The listing is no longer active, and it remains a mystery if the property was ever purchased. 

Popular listing

Speaking to Aberdeen News, Goukassian said he had been surprised by the amount of offers he'd received, which might explain the sudden price hike.

Perhaps Goukassian was keen to start a bidding war! There could be another reason behind the unexplained price increase, though...

Second thoughts

According to Task & Purpose, a site dedicated to informing and entertaining active and veteran military members, Goukassian might have had second thoughts about letting the property go.

He told the site that he wasn't sure if he wanted to sell the base immediately, but he was keen to take offers from interested parties. It isn't hard to see why Goukassian might have struggled to let the former military site go.

Secluded bolthole

Remarkably, the site is said to contain 50 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms, meaning it could easily be transformed into a self-sufficient community.

This crumbling property is one of the base's most attractive and, given a little TLC, would surely make for a rather inviting family home.

Military neighbours

While the base is no longer active, the Federal Aviation Administration continues to operate a radar site on the property, so a potential new owner would need to be okay with becoming neighbors with the largest transportation agency in the United States.

Connect and disconnect

Any new owner would also need to bear in mind that this former bunker also comes with unique additions that could be tricky, or even dangerous, to remove. For example, the site's former power facilities remain intact, offering the buyer the chance to create an off-grid home that's entirely disconnected from the outside world.

Extreme fixer-upper

While the old listing photos highlighted the decaying state of the buildings, Goukassian confirmed that most of the structures on the site have strong foundations and walls, meaning any restoration works would be that little bit easier (and cheaper) to manage.

Still, it's clear taking on this extreme fixer-upper project would be no mean feat.

Eerie outbuildings

Stepping inside one of the site's outbuildings, it's clear to see no one has been taking care of it. This huge garage is filled with trash, the floor littered with old furnishings, vehicles, and car parts.

With a little imagination, though, we're sure the building could be converted into something special. 

Deserted spaces

This building, which could have served as offices or accommodation for the military that worked at the base, certainly is spooky, although the listing didn't mention any ghosts...

Gone but not forgotten

The property listing was described as 'unfurnished', though while many of the buildings are empty, there are still some signs of a military presence.

From old metal signs and rusty cars to rundown furniture and the odd personal belonging, a new owner would accrue more than 50 years of history in taking on this unique estate – not to mention the odd secret surprise or two...

Full of surprises

That's right, the property's most unique and exciting feature has to be its secret abandoned bunker. The only sign that the underground world exists is this heavy, steel trapdoor that leads down into the depths...

Private passageway

Once inside you'll find a secret tunnel, which military personnel would once have used to move between buildings without being seen, or to transport equipment in bad weather. The haunting space looks as if it hasn't been used for many years. 

Create your own town

With so many remarkable features, we're sure this incredible former military base would make for one seriously cool abode or the perfect place to hunker down for the apocalypse if need be! We'd love to know what will become of it...

Liked this? Click on the Follow button above for more great stories from loveEXPLORING