Area 51 request filed in 2005, the CIA publicly acknowledged the existence of the base for the first time, declassifying documents detailing the history and purpose of Area 51. Area 51 is located in the southern portion of Nevada in the western United States, north-northwest of Las Vegas. Situated at its center, on the southern shore of Groom Lake, is a large military airfield. The site was acquired by the United States Air Force in 1955, primarily for the flight testing of the Lockheed U-2 aircraft. The area around Area 51, including the small town of Rachel on the "Extraterrestrial Highway", is
Minnesota State Highway 51 The northern terminus of Highway 51 at I-694 in Arden Hills is also shared with the westbound interchange for U.S. Highway 10. From south to north, the route adjoins the campuses of Macalester College, Hamline University, University of Northwestern - Saint Paul, and Bethel University. Como Park, Zoo, and Conservatory in Saint Paul is located 7 blocks east of the junction of Highway 51 (Snelling Avenue) and Como Avenue. Eastbound Como Avenue becomes Horton Avenue. The park entrance is on Horton Avenue near Lexington Parkway. Rosedale Center and Har Mar Mall shopping centers are located on the route in Roseville.