Bartow's WWII runways produced moonwalkers
In 1951, a 21-year-old West Point graduate named Buzz Aldrin arrived at Bartow Air Base for his first flight training. Eighteen years later, he'd step onto the Moon. He wasn't the only astronaut from Bartow — Ed White (first American spacewalker) and Karol Bobko also trained here. Over 8,000 military pilots earned their wings at this former P-51 fighter base. Today, Bartow Municipal preserves the legacy at its on-field museum and Runways restaurant.