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"Original Black Mailbox" at start of road to Area 51
The famous Black Mailbox is a landmark to indicate what road they you should turn on to go to area 51.
There is no sign that says "Groom Lake Road", and so this mailbox has improvised in that role.
As well as a spot where UFO watchers like to gather at night, to search the skies over Groom Lake
for UFOs and other mysterious lights. It is located on Hwy. 375, between mile marker 29 and 30,
on the southwest side of the highway.
But it's not even black any more?!
A new conspiracy? Relax, the answer is much more mundane.
Contrary to a common misconception it is not the mailbox of Area 51,
but it belongs to rancher Steve Medlin, who owns the only ranch in Tikaboo Valley.
Unfortunately Steve often found tourists going through his mail, hunting for top secret Area 51 documents.
Story has it that his mail even got shot several times.
So he installed a new bulletproof white mailbox, with a lock to keep curious "researchers" out.
The original box was auctioned off to a UFO fan for $1000.
The dirt road leading south from the highway here is called Mailbox Road.
It intersects after 5 miles with Groom Lake Road, which leads into the base
Tikaboo Valley Map
[Edited on 27-6-2003 by MiStErBeLLaTrIx]
