Hill Field, Chemical Warfare Storage, 5809 A Lane, Layton

Source document Quoted word for word from HAER UTAH,6-LAY.V,2X-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Building 276 provides particularly vivid images of the processes involved repair and maintenance of aircraft, a crucial component of Hill Field's overall mission to support Pacific and European theaters of military operation during World War n. In addition, this building contributes to a deeper understanding of the early development of the U.S. Army Air Corps, a branch of the Army which eventually became the U.S. Air Force. History: The original use of this building is ambiguous and elusive. Chemical warfare was developed and used during World War II, and this building may have been a supporting structure of these operations at Hill Field.

Early base real estate records refer to the building as a chemical warfare storage facility, but no supporting documentation has been located to suggest that this building was used in such a manner. It is located near most of the early aircraft repair and testing processes, and appears to be a standard warehouse. No distinctive features that would protect workers or surrounding buildings from the hazards of chemical warfare storage are evident in the building. The building was converted for use in the engine repair of vehicles and other ground powered equipment in when it was extended from 132 feet to 156 feet in length. A small lunch room was provided in the northeast corner of the building. Hill Field, Chemical Warfare Storage HAER No.

UT-85-X Page 2 General Description: Building 276 is a small, rectangular building with a gable roof. The exterior of this building is clad with horizontal wood siding, and with asphalt shingles on the roof. The west (gable end) wall has four wooden six-over-six double-hung windows and a single metal door in the center. This wall still has a track attached for an exterior sliding door, but the door has been removed and the opening has been covered with wood siding. The east (gable end) wall has four fixed wooden nine-pane windows. The south wall has two single metal doors, one large overhead door, two wood six-over-six double hung-windows, and six fixed nine-pane windows. Ventilation was a major concern in the design of this building.

Three wooden ventilators and six metal cylinder exhaust stacks rest along the roof ridge. Hill Field, Chemical Warfare Storage HAER No. UT-85-X Page 3 O f\l LU 3 O Q _1 CD