Atwater (pop. 22,282) is located northwest of Merced. The town is recovering from a crisis after the 1991 announcement that Castle Air Force Base would close.
The Castle Air Museum in Atwater has 44 vintage aircraft including an SR-71 Blackbird. It was named for Brigadier General Frederick Castle, a hero of World War II. Weapons, uniforms and 44 vintage aircraft are on display.
Address: Castle Air Museum, 5050 Santa Fe Drive, Atwater, CA 95301-5154, United States
Phone: 1 (209) 723-2178, Fax: 1 (209) 723-0323
Hours:
May 1 to October 31: 9am-5pm
November 1 to April 30: 10am-4pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
The Challenger Learning Center of the San Joaquin Valley is located on the former Castle Air Force Base in Atwater.
There is a space station and a ground control simulator to help children understand how math and science can be related to practical problems and challenges.
Address: Challenger Learning Center of the San Joaquin Valley, Castle Aviation Park, 3460 Challenger Way, Atwater, CA 95301-5139, United States
Phone: 1 (209) 726-0296, Fax: 1 (209) 726-3491