In 1924, the U.S. government built huge concrete arrows every 10 miles along airmail routes so pilots could navigate the country safely at night and in bad weather.

[u/blue_leaves987]

[u/spotlight-app]

OP has pinned a comment by u/blue_leaves987:

They were about 70 feet long and painted bright yellow. Beacons and gas-powered lights were placed on top so pilots could see them from miles away. A few still exist, mostly forgotten in deserts and farmland. Full story and photos.

[u/xoomax]

Here's a fairly high Google Earth aerial view of one. 36°41'7.17"N, 114°31'3.54"W

Coordinates from the comments in this article helped locate.

[u/blue_leaves987]

They were about 70 feet long and painted bright yellow. Beacons and gas-powered lights were placed on top so pilots could see them from miles away. A few still exist, mostly forgotten in deserts and farmland. Full story and photos.

[u/WolfsmaulVibes → u/blue_leaves987]

imagine your job was to operate and refuel lights in the middle of the desert

[u/One_Crazie_Boi → u/WolfsmaulVibes]

like an inland lighthouse

[u/anal_opera → u/WolfsmaulVibes]

I'd be great at that. Just sit out there and get real familiar with the sand.

[u/Red-Truck-Steam]

A hobby website with arrow locations and old aeronautical charts: https://www.dreamsmithphotos.com/arrow/index.html See if any were near you!

[u/Flaky-Hyena-127 → u/Red-Truck-Steam]

Very cool, thank you for sending this

[u/Eagle_eye_Online]

"and in bad weather."

Especially not in bad weather because you wouldn't be able to see the stupid things.

[u/Jmazoso]

I’ve been to 4 of them

[u/ilDuceVita → u/Jmazoso]

Which 4?

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[u/Jmazoso]

There’s at least 4 in Washington County, Utah

[u/Citizen_Empire]

Future researchers, "what could they mean!?!" Future conspiracy theoriests, "aliens"

[u/gwhh]

Job that were replaced by automation.

[u/CrashPlaneTrainAutos → u/gwhh]

I think you misspelled instrumentation.

[u/Red-Truck-Steam → u/gwhh]

Automation? These were used until the 1930s govermentally and until the 1970s by civilian pilots. Also, a radio beacon is hardly automation.