Everglades Exploration Network

Not many people know (including me) that the Defense Dept operated a Cold War-era Nike Hercules missile base deep in the Everglades up until 1979. The base is located at the Daniel Beard Research Center and has now been opened for public tours. From the article:

"The base, a well-preserved relic of the Cold War in Florida, is the best remaining example of the U.S. missile defense system close to Cuba. It remains virtually the same as it was when official use of the site ended."

You can read the full article here.

Views: 22

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

The facility was added to the National Register of Historic Places a few years back. The old command center is the Daniel Beard. The old hangers are down the road & are now used to store the boats for Everglades & Biscayne during hurricane events. If you get a chance to check it out, its an incredible part of our history. If you do go, please note an interesting thing...no spiders in the hangers.

You can see remnants of the one to the south, just south of the Ocean reef turnoff on Card Sound rd. and like the article says, take a look at an aerial of the Krome Detention Center & you can see another command center.

The scarier part (as backcountry campers) is that before the permanent facilities were built, the soldiers slept in tents along the canal just outside the park gate. Those two turnoffs were the facility for the Cuban Missle Crisis, and the guys slept in regular tents year-round & would have to go to South Dade High to shower. How'd you like to be based there in August 1962...

I'd rather take my chances with the camel spiders in Iraq!
Went out to the base for the tour yesterday. Excellent! Very informative...& downright freaky. It was just 25-50 years ago, but our vision of the nuclear option has changed so much. You also get alot of info on the Hole in the Donut project. All right in our backyard, but so far away in time & space. Besides...it's a good excuse to cruise down to the park & enjoy the backside of the pinelands (PRIME panther habitat).

I recommend it highly. It's running twice a day on Saturday's. You have to reserve a slot on the tour because the spaces are limited (and almost gone). Call the Visitors Center.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

© 2024   Created by Keith W.   Powered by

Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service