Constructed in 1936, Boeing Plant 2 in Seattle became the birthplace of iconic aircrafts, including the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-52 Stratofortress. In the bustling days of World War II, the plant decided to add an unconventional defense strategy. 

Faced with the possibility of aerial attacks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opted for a less conventional approach. They turned the plant’s roof into a fake neighborhood, complete with plywood houses and streets. This imaginative defense tactic earned the nickname “Boeing Wonderland.”

As the world grappled with the realities of war, Boeing Plant 2 continued to expand, reaching a colossal 1,776,000 square feet, as the plant produced thousands of B-17s and later contributed to the assembly of B-29 Superfortresses, B-47 Stratojets, and B-52 Stratofortresses.

In the swinging ’60s, the plant took on a new challenge – assembly of the first three Boeing 737s. Although production eventually moved to Renton, Wash.

Sadly, the era of rooftop neighborhoods came to an end in 2010 with the arrival of the wrecking ball.

Despite its physical disappearance, Boeing Plant 2 leaves behind a legacy of innovation, reminding us that even though it might seem odd, sometimes thinking out of the box is what is needed.