These are buildings erected during the existence of Lowry Field/Lowry AFB from its beginnings in 1937 through its end-of-life in 1994. Lowry was a bustling “town” in and of itself within the eastern confines of Denver, forming a “boundary” between Denver and its eastern-neighbor, Aurora, CO. Aurora evolved from the small 1891 community known as Fletcher, a four square mile real estate investment, into a thriving bedroom community serving both military and civilian families associated with Lowry AFB. Aurora is today so much more than a bedroom community as it has attained the status of having become the 21st most populous Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States. Click HERE to view the Lowry Foundation’s online version of these same photos.

Last Updated: 01/06/2018 08:01

Available housing for Lowry’s Army Air Force soldiers ranged from large tents in 1937 when the area was known as “Lowry Field” to modern-day advanced architectural designs which included during the latter years 1,000-man dormitories as Lowry Field transitioned into Lowry AFB, United States Air Force’s Air Training Command. Buildings were erected in the form of aircraft hangers, a steam plant, office buildings, and classrooms. A dining hall, book store, commissary, dispensary, dental clinic, officer and enlisted clubs, theater, PX/BX, on-base housing…were all built to form a complete community in support of the Air Force’s training mission at Denver, Colorado. Lowry’s flying activities ceased on 30 June 1966. In 1991 the government’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission recommended closing Lowry AFB. Lowry AFB had been home to over one million airmen during its existence, including not only America’s finest men and women, but students from over 29 foreign countries were provided training at Lowry AFB through the military’s MAP program. On 30 September 1994 the United States of America’s flag was lowered for the last time in front of building 349, the Base Headquarters building, and Lowry AFB ceased to exist as a government installation, ending 57 years of training excellence. Politicians and influential business leaders from both Denver and Aurora, CO got together and evolved a plan to maximize the potential value of the now abandoned property. A vibrant mixed-use community evolved embracing the area’s unique military history. Over 20 original Lowry AFB buildings have been saved and repurposed. Other buildings, those of less robust construction, were demolished with new construction taking their place. The whole area has taken on a new look…such that if a veteran who served on Lowry in 1982 were to visit the area in 2016…they would no longer recognize the Lowry where they had spent a significant portion of their service career time!