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Frenchman Flat
 Between January 27, 1951 and March 25, 1968 fourteen atmospheric and
five underground tests were detonated at Frenchman Flat. The
320-square-kilometer (123-square-mile) dry lake bed is one of three
major closed desert valley basins at the Nevada Test Site, the others
being Yucca and Jackass Flats.
From 1953 to 1958, reinforced structures were exposed to of nuclear
blasts and accompanying overpressures. Among the items exposed to the
blasts were French-and-German-designed shelters, a Mosler safe, a
railroad bridge, butler buildings (hangers), a man-made pine tree forest
planted in concrete blocks, railroad rolling stock, tanks and other
items of military equipment.
Since 1982, more than 47,000 visitors have toured Frenchman Flat to view
the historic structures and twisted ruins, which stand as stark
testimonial to the awesome power of the atom.
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