The Nike system was named after the Greek goddess of victory - not the shoes.Ĭ-47 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Interestingly enough, Indianapolis did not have a ring protecting it. The Nike Missile Site C-47, near Portage, was one of 21 spokes in the ring that protected Chicago and the nearby Gary Steelworks. Then a special safe was opened, and special instruction cards with special codes were revealed to start the launch of the surface-to-air missiles.ġ960s: If you couldn't get to the fallout shelter, then duck and cover Cold War Indianaĭillsboro isn’t the only former missile site in Indiana. The voice on the other end would announce the alert. The Hercules batteries were capable of firing 41-foot-long missiles up to 150,000 feet, and they could intercept enemy bombers for approximately 75 miles.Īnd there really was a red phone. They were later replaced by the Hercules missiles, which were armed with nuclear warheads. The silos were first armed with Ajax missiles. Instead, the Russians were developing intercontinental ballistic missiles, better known as ICBMs. The government began installing the Nike-Hercules system nationwide in 1958, when defense planners believed the Soviet Union was capable of sending bombers to the U.S. In the event of a launch, the 100 soldiers stationed at the base could take cover in the fallout shelter that was equipped with a 60-day supply of food, water and Geiger counters, a device that detects and measures radiation. They were built in a ring for protection around major urban and industrial areas in what was known as “Rings of Fire.” Three hundred other bases just like it in 29 states were the last line of defense against Soviet aggression in the late 1950s and 1960s. It was part of the Cincinnati and Dayton area defense program. The Dillsboro site, built in 1958 and used until March 1970, was known as CD-63 during the Cold War. The history of the site and others like it Knowles said the owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said it was time to move. “The owner has all the original U.S.Army blueprints from when it was built in 1958,” said Keller Williams Realty listing agent Jay Knowles, who said he has a couple of prospective buyers interested in renovating the home. The 14.58-acre property in Dearborn County also includes 10 above-ground concrete buildings that were used as a bomb shelter, missile repair building and barracks.
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