Along the western perimeter of Van Nuys Airport, on Balboa Blvd., is a collection of Cold War era buildings. They have a lonely and sinister aura, are unoccupied and most likely awaiting demolition. Spies, secrecy, clandestine plans…. what activities went on here 50 years ago? Those dark times can scarcely be imagined in the bright light of today.
The architecture, of steel windows and flat roofs, is plain and straightforward, like the old Disney studio structures that emphasized efficiency and work instead of gloss and pretense. Barbed wire fencing and “no trespassing” signs keep vandals at bay.
This is a landscape made of men, American men, who once built things and earned the world’s respect for their guts, innovation and fairness. On screen, the guys who worked here would have been tersely played by Robert Mitchum or Dana Andrews. Dressed in black bomber jackets and flat front khakis, the heroes would have kissed Donna Reed or Dorothy McGuire before flying off to Korea to do their duty.
Let it also not be forgotten that yesterday’s fog also recalls “Casablanca”, part of which was filmed here in 1942.
The airport still engenders cinematic tribute: Brian Terwilliger’s new documentary about the history of the airport called “One Six Right“, dramatizes the glorious history which includes Amelia Earhart, bootleggers and Hal Fishman.
Here in Van Nuys 
Thanks Rodger. That is a lovely poem.
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You know, if I only added one more word to that last sentence I would’ve had a poem:
On a warm and dry summer night
when air traffic is light
the Van Nuys Airport can feel
very ethereal and light.
Yeah, there’s a reason they only pay me for prose.
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Excellent snaps, Andrew. Those empty ghosts have always intrigued me. I lived at the Van Nuys Airport for a short spell in 1990. One of the aviation companies there — it’s been so long I can’t recall which one — allowed me to park my motor home next to their hangar while I was looking for an apartment in exchange for having my presence as security. On a warm and dry summer night when air traffic is light the Van Nuys Airport can feel very ethereal.
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Aren’t they just those typical green blobs as foundation plantings?
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These pictures are terrific. The fog gives that feeling of intrigue. I drive by there on occasion and it’s usually on one those fantastic cloudless SFV days where the sun has its way. These buildings don’t give off quite the same vibe in the sun. I always expect to see Lyle Waggoner and Wonder Woman running around the pavement there.
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Speaking of gay Mr. Yezerkian, these buildings have some of the most dreadful shrubs this side of Arco.
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That was naughty, Andrew. Very very naughty and… gay.
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Megan-
Glad you have a sense of humor. At least from what I’ve heard of your recent phone conversations.
Sincerely,
Andrew
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“Spies, secrecy, clandestine plans…. what activities went on here 50 years ago? Those dark times can scarcely be imagined in the bright light of today.”
I love it.
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