Topic:

Area 51

A satellite photo of area 51 taken from Google Maps.

Situated in Lincoln County near the Nevada Test & Training Range is Area 51, one of the most secretive places on Earth. Its very existence was denied by the government up until 2003. Although the purpose of the facility has not been officially declared, many believe it to be a testing facility for experimental weapons and aircraft. The secrecy and strange happenings occurring around Area 51 has inspired countless conspiracy theories.

Archive highlights

Alien contradiction is focus of new book

Mon, Dec 1, 1997

Anne Hosier

The stretch of desert known as Area 51 remains so shrouded in secrecy the government is still reluctant to admit it exists.

Feds asked to shed light on UFOs

Tue, Oct 22, 2002

Benjamin Grove

WASHINGTON -- The federal government is not adequately investigating unidentified flying objects and is hiding UFO-related documents, members of a new coalition hoping to bring a serious tone to the ...

An eccentric's struggle for truth

Sun, Dec 18, 2005

Molly Ball

Several years ago, he abandoned that quest, but the desire to get to the bottom of official secrets never left him.

At last, a glimpse of Area 51

Tue, Apr 18, 2000

By Mary Manning

On the Internet

All stories

Toxic data at Area 51 ruled confidential

Thu, Jan 8, 1998

Bob Egelko

Lawyers for five current and former workers at the base, and the widows of two workers allegedly killed by toxic wastes, are not entitled to learn whether hazardous substances exist ...

Area 51 saga heads to federal court

Mon, Nov 3, 1997

The government resists acknowledging the installation even exists. An attorney's office is sealed from the public. A sitting president invokes executive privilege to suppress evidence.

Stealth search for history

Sat, Jul 19, 1997

Ken McCall

As the full moon rose on an April night, Jerry Freeman picked up his backpack and headed into a desolate and forbidding landscape.

Magazine: Area 51 gear moving to Utah

Tue, May 20, 1997

The magazine's science editor, Jim Wilson, explores the signs in government budgets and in the dust rising from the Groom Lake bed about 110 miles northeast of Las Vegas. He ...

Former Area 51 workers to file briefs

Wed, Jan 15, 1997

The briefs will offer the first glimpse into a controversial sealed hearing in 1996 over alleged illegal and toxic burning.

Court overturns Area 51 ruling

Fri, Nov 8, 1996

Rachael Levy

The higher court decision, made Thursday, may throw a roadblock in the Justice Department's effort to wrap up its investigation into allegations that environmental crimes were committed at the once-secret ...

Ex-workers: Judge ignored Area 51 evidence

Mon, Oct 14, 1996

Rachael Levy

The workers charge that U.S. District Judge Philip Pro refused to examine any evidence that would support their allegations and perhaps reveal that the government lied or at least exaggerated ...

Questioning of Area 51 workers delayed

Fri, Oct 4, 1996

Rachael Levy

A federal prosecutor said the interviews are needed to wrap up an investigation into allegations that environmental crimes were committed at the secret military base 125 miles northwest of Las ...

Area 51 interviews allowed

Tue, Oct 1, 1996

Rachael Levy

Monday's decision by U.S. District Judge Philip Pro is a victory for the federal government, which was prohibited from interviewing the workers under a 1994 civil court order.

Workers appeal Area 51 ruling

Thu, Sep 12, 1996

By Mary Manning

The requests were filed Tuesday and Wednesday through their attorneys, George Washington University Professor Jonathan Turley and co-counsel Joan Manley.

Contractors say they're unaware of Area 51 probe

Fri, Aug 9, 1996

Mary Manning and Rachael Levy

Three military contractors say they have no knowledge of a federal investigation into environmental crimes allegedly committed at a classified military base in Southern Nevada.

Feds investigating burning of hazardous waste at Area 51

Thu, Aug 8, 1996

Mary Manning and Rachael Levy

Federal agents are investigating allegations that hazardous wastes burned in open pits at a secret military base in Southern Nevada, lending credence to former workers' claims that they became ill ...

Lawyer disputes government editing of Area 51 papers

Fri, Jul 19, 1996

The attorney representing six workers claiming harm from toxic fumes at the secret Area 51 military base said a foot-thick stack of documents released by the government doesn't go far ...

If Area 51 doesn't exist, why is everyone laughing?

Wed, Mar 27, 1996

The federal government is paying billions of dollars every year from its black budget for a place that does not exist. You can buy officials maps taken by the Russian ...

Area 51 highway serious business

Fri, Mar 8, 1996

By Mary Manning

Area 51 watcher Glenn Campbell isn't expecting Nevada's new "Extraterrestrial Highway" to attract any ETs, but he fears the remote roadway will trap hapless Earth-bound tourists in natural and man-made ...