Ladd Field National Historic Landmark (World War II, 1939-1945)
The National Register of Historic Places was established under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) and is an official list of significant state, local, and national historic properties managed by the National Park Service. To be eligible for listing on the National Register, properties must meet certain criteria and possess “integrity”—the essential physical features which illustrate the historic significance. National Register properties may be single buildings or sites or may include multiple properties in a district. According to the provisions of NHPA and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal agencies must take into account the effects of their undertakings on properties which are eligible for listing on the National Register.
A National Historic Landmark is a historic property or district that has been recognized for possessing exceptional value in interpreting the heritage of the United States. Fewer than 2,500 of these landmarks presently exist across the United States. National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places; however, only a small proportion of National Register properties are NHLs. What sets the NHLs apart is their significance on a national level and their recognition by the Secretary of the Interior specifically for that significance. NHLs are also given special consideration when actions may affect them in accordance with 36 CRF § 800.10.
In 1985, portions of the original Ladd Field were designated a NHL in recognition of Ladd’s World War II contribution to cold weather testing, its role as an air depot, and its use as the transfer point for Alaska-Siberia Lend-Lease aircraft. The Ladd Field NHL is a multiple property district encompassing the core permanent buildings around the North Post and the airfield. The Ladd Field NHL facilities are currently in use by the Army and are subject to the full range of Army regulations and mission priorities.
