Findings of Fact, Site Location, and Information on
Ballinger Gap Filler M89A, based on information provided by US Army Corps of Engineers Formerly Used Defense
Site (FUDS) document K0TX1121 of 1996
Ed. Note: Ballinger GFA FUDS report
stating that ADC records and other information indicate that the GFA
facility was never actually constructed, contrary to assumptions stated in
the FUDS report itself.
Site Location
App. 4.5 miles southwest of Ballinger, Runnels County, TX.
A hard surfaced road exists from Ballinger to the site. The 105` X 105` site is across the road to the west from Bruce Air Force Base, now known as Ballinger Municipal Airport. The site is located within the triangular shaped piece of property north and across the road from the airport.
Site History and Findings of Fact
The U. S. Government acquired 0.25 acres in 1956 and constructed an unmanned gap filler facility, including a foundation tower, command building, 3500 gallon aboveground diesel fuel tank, an access road, and chain link security fencing.
The site was utilized by the Air Force until being deactivated around 1960.
It was presumably excessed around 1960, but there is no record or date of property disposal, as historical and real estate is extremely limited. Exact dates for the Report of Excess and property disposal are not known, and it is assumed the facility was reported excess about the same time as other radar gap filler stations in Texas during 1960, and the property was disposed of shortly thereafter.
Current Usage at Time of Report
The site is currently owned by the city of Ballinger, and the property is vacant.
A site visit in 1996 revealed no evidence of the aboveground diesel fuel tank or any other components of the former gap filler radar facility remaining on the property.
The entire tract is currently overgrown with mesquite trees, cacti, and brush.
Remnants of a school building and several aboveground storage tanks are adjacent to the former station location on the south and east sides.
Site Map
A Site Location map of good quality is included in the report. A copy of the December 13, 1956 real estate record, of poor quality, is also included.