McClellan Air Force Base, Military air base in North Highlands, Sacramento County, US.
McClellan Air Force Base was a military installation in North Highlands that served as a maintenance facility for aircraft, electronics, and communication equipment on a substantial property. After closure, the site was redeveloped into McClellan Business Park, which now hosts various companies and government organizations.
The facility began operations in 1935 as the Pacific Air Depot and was renamed in 1939 to honor Major Hezekiah McClellan, who died during a flight test. It served as a key military aviation maintenance center for decades before closing in 2001.
The Aerospace Museum of California displays military aircraft and offers educational programs to visitors interested in flight history. You can walk around and see restored planes from different eras of aviation.
The former military site is now partially open to the public, particularly the museum and certain business areas. It is helpful to check in advance which sections are accessible and when the museum operates.
The Environmental Protection Agency designated the site for cleanup due to chemical and radiological contamination, including radium-226 from aircraft instruments. This remediation effort highlights how military facilities can leave lasting environmental impacts that require years of careful restoration work.
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