Nike Missile Site

Posted on by Stephen Edwards

Everglades National Park, Florida

Which of the following seems out of place in the Everglades?

A. Alligators, B. Birds, C. Crocodiles, or D. Missiles.

Probably not the first item that would be associated with a subtropical wilderness

If you selected missiles, you might be surprised to find a missile battery in the middle of the Everglades. The HM-69 missile site was built to protect South Florida from any aircraft stationed in Cuba after the Cuban Missile Crisis. The military installation in the Everglades is well preserved. It contains the actual missiles used to protect Florida if war was to begin between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The warhead on one of the Nike Missiles has been removed. The actual payload has been placed in a location that has not been shared with the general public.

This particular military installation was decommissioned in 1979 when I was born. I remember the Cold War and the Soviet Union, and it is surreal to see events that have happened in my lifetime to be preserved as a historic site.

Computing power at its finest in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

If you visit, use the facilities before you go, as none are on site. Also, do not climb the hills of gravel, as they are not secure. This site is located off the main park road by a few miles and is only open during limited times, so allow time to get to and view the site. Travelers will not be disappointed by this well-preserved military site of our recent past.

This is an up-close view of the refurbished Nike Missile. Volunteers often preserve refurbished equipment to help make history come alive for current and future generations.

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