jjmaccrimmon | Abandoned Places Fort McArthur NIKE Missile Battery

I was going to post photos from the lighthouse complex, but I think those are mainly going to go to the “nature photo of the day” files. Never fear there will be some posted later by themselves. Instead, one of the next places we visited after the tide pools was a fading remnant of the Cold War.

Welcome to Battery LA-43, Fort McArthur former NIKE Hercules Missile Battery

Proceed through the security gate with caution.

In the 1950’s there was a serious concern that nuclear armed bombers could rain death and destruction upon US cities (and military centers). Modern anti-aircraft guns simply didn’t have the range and accuracy to take out a bomber carrying a doomsday weapon, so like our Soviet counterparts, we built surface to air missiles. The Russians came up with the SA-2 & 3. We built Nike. Named for the Greek Goddess of (Winged) Victory, Nike was a supersonic missile guided by radar on the ground. What many people didn’t know is the most widely deployed version of this missile (Nike Hercules) was tipped with a nuclear warhead to take out entire formations of bombers. Oh did I mention that the majority of these were based around major US cities. This launch facility was built right at the southern-most point of Los Angeles.

Visitors Check-In – Home to hundreds of snails

Access to the bunker

The large doors to the right lead to the missile magazine (storage for ready weapons). Battery LA-43 once was home to 8 missile launchers with two underground storage magazines.

Except during storms, four missiles would be on ready launch status at all times.

With effectively a 60 mile range (87 miles published), the missiles were at Mach 2+ before they were 2000 ft down range.

Public domain photo of a Nike Hercules at launch (found at http://www.smecc.org/nike_sites1.htm)

Service building

Now this and most all the other Nike sites lay silent memories in the US. Many sites have been destroyed or incorporated into government facilities and businesses. Most of the Los Angeles radar and launch sites are under county ownership – like this site.

This one is returning to nature

Snails were Everywhere on this site.

Look on the walls… snails

The Fort McArthur Museum was trying to restore this launch battery using parts from the form Van Nuys batteries and volunteer labor. LA County Parks blocked the restoration effort.