Findings of Fact, Site Location, and Information on
Fordland AFS P-68, based on information provided by US Army Corps of Engineers Formerly Used Defense
Site (FUDS) document B07MO0208 of 1990
Site Location
East of Springfield, south of Highway 60 and southeast of Fordland, Webster County, MO
Site History and Findings of Fact
The former Fordland Air Force Station consisted of 77.2 acres, and was constructed for use beginning in 1951, with 72.57 of the leased acres acquired in fee, and an additional 12.17 acres easement. The site was operated by the Air Force and reported excess to GSA in 1961, when it was conveyed via quitclaim deed in 1962 by HEW to the State of Missouri, Division of Inmate Education.
The radar station was declared free of contamination in 1961, after an undetermined amount of radioactive tubes were unearthed and removed from the area. An abandoned landfill on site was constructed by the Air Force, the exact contents unknown, except that sources indicate that `coiled copper and lead sheathing associated with radioactive tubes are buried in this landfill`. A three page Air Force document from 1961 exists which describes the removal of buried radioactive tubes from this site. This report was not included in the copy of the FUDS report.
At the time of the 1990 report, the State was operating the site as a medium security prison known as Ozark Correctional Center. It is also shown on maps as Fordlands Honor Camp.
Site Map
A vicinity map showing the location of the site was included in the report.