The DC Traveler

While recently driving, I noticed one of the many historical markers along so many of the area’s roads.  These markers are all over the place, marking Revolutionary War battles, Civil War battlefields, the sited of historical events and buildings as well as other historical places. But on this one, three words caught my eye - Nike Missile Site.

About 10 minutes later, I spotted another Nike marker.  It got me thinking.

As a very young kid, I recall riding in the back seat of my parent’s car along Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline and seeing Nike air defense missiles pointing skyward along the route.

Not understanding the Cold War, I wondered if we were worried that Wisconsin might try to invade the Windy City.

By the early 1970s, the Chicago missiles were decommissioned, removed and mostly forgotten. The lakefront missle site was converted into a public skeet-shooting park. 

The history of the Nike goes back to 1953. In response to escalations in the Cold War, and named after the Greek mythological goddess of victory, the Nike missile program deployed surface-to-air missiles in and around many major U.S. cities. Used as the country’s last-line of air defense throughout the early years of the Cold War, the 20 foot radar-controlled missile had an altitude of 10-12 miles, a range of over 25 miles .  It reached speeds in excess of 1,000 miles per hour (Mach 2.3) and at the time of its development, enemy bombers flew at half that speed. It carried a non-nuclear explosive fragmentation warhead, but later versions could be converted to carry a nuclear payload.

The Nike Program was designed to protect populated cities as well as military targets and to also replace the 896 radar-guided anti-aircraft guns, operated by the Army and National Guard, left over from World War II.

Each site covered about 40 acres and housed the radar and control systems, an administration area and the missiles, stored in underground magazines.  A team of over 100 soldiers kept the site  manned 24 hours-a-day.    

The missiles were continually at the ready; one on a 15 minute alert, and the remaining missiles on either a 30 or 120 minute alert.

Surprisingly, the Chicago defense region had the most Nike sites, 22; more than both New York or Washington, DC.  

The limited range of the missile was considered to be a serious flaw and was the one of the major causes of its demise.  The introduction of the ICBM and the nuclear attack submarine also hastened its obsolescence.   By 1974, most sites had been deactivated.

After conducting some research, I discovered that there were multiple Nike defensive sites scattered around Washington, DC.  Today, some of the sites still have some original buildings and bunkers remaining.  But most have been converted to public parks or used for other purposes. One site in nearby Lorton, VA has been designated as the future suite for the Cold War Heritage Park and Cultural Museum.

I was able to determine where 6 of the sites were located, but there were many more circling Washington in a protective ring. Always protecting the area from those pesky Soviets. 

The local Nike sites included:

• Lorton, VA -  Hooes Rd and VA 611, on the grounds of the closed 7,000 inmate Lorton maximum security prison. 
• Fairfax, VA - just south of Pope’s Head Road and just west of Virginia Route 123 - Ox Road.
• Herndon, Dranesville, Great Falls, VA - Utterback Store Road, in Great Falls Nike Park.
• Rockville, MD - near Shady Grove and Darnestown Roads.
• Ft. Meade, MD -  I-95 and alongside I-295; next to Maryland City, in the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. This was the location of the first Nike deployment in 1953.
• Annapolis, MD - North of US 50, between Bay Head and Yorktown Roads.

I also found an interesting website dedicated to the history of the Nike missile program.

If you want to see one of these pieces of history up close, the Udvar-Hazy Center National Air and Space Museum on the grounds of Dulles Airport has a one on display.

If not, try your Cold War knowledge on the Cold War Museum’s trivia game.

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