Historical Marker

550th Night Fighter Squadron

Historical marker location:
United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
Marker installed: 1992

Activated 1 June 1944 • Inactivated 4 January 1946. World War II.

The Colorado Mineral Belt, which stretches from the San Juan Mountains in the south to Boulder in the north, is a rich source of gold, silver, copper, lead, and other minerals. The area was first mined by Native Americans, and later by Spanish explorers and prospectors during the Gold Rush. Today, the mining industry is still an important part of Colorado's economy.