San Francisco Defense Area Site SF-88-L

USA / California / Sausalito /
 artillery battery, Cold War 1947-1991, nikemissile, interesting place, closed / former military
The IFC (Integrated Fire Control) site is located on Wolf Ridge in Fort Cronkhite. During the tense years from 1953 to 1979, the United States Army built and operated a total of 280 Nike missile firing batteries in the United States. These missile sites were emplaced as the last line of defense against Soviet bombers. Today, a dedicated group of volunteers works in partnership with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area on the continuous task of restoration at site SF-88, which has been turned into a museum. This valuable historical resource is the only restored Nike missile site in the entire country. It's a great chance for you to see the tools of the Cold War up close.

You can visit SF-88 during the week, Wednesday through Friday, 12:30 to 3:30. A guided walk begins from the Testing and Assembly Building every half hour, with the last tour leaving at 3 p.m. On the guided walk you will be able to see the tools of the Cold War up close, and it includes an amazing trip down the missile elevator into the underground storage area.

On the first Sunday of every month, they hold an open house, where docents—some of them Nike veterans—tell stories about real life experience at Nike missile sites.

www.nikemissile.org/
ed-thelen.org/t_tour.html
www.nps.gov/goga/nike-missile-site.htm
Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike_Missile_Site_SF-88
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   37°49'39"N   122°31'40"W

Comments

  • cool
  • As the Nikes could have been armed with nuclear weapons at one time the ones here were part of one of the disarmament treaties. Even now people come out from the Soviet Embassey to check them and are tailed by US agents.
  • Site SF-88L Fort Barry/Sausalito (1955-1974). 2 magazines, 8 launchers, 20 Ajax missiles. Converted to 12 Hercules missiles in 1958. Awesome site (sight). Going there has a "viagra-like" effect on me! K.C., you've got to be kidding!?
  • No Bilt, I am not kidding. Channel four or one of the other TV station did a story on it and actually filmed what they said were Foreign Agents followed by a car of Feds.
  • Went here last year and was impressed. The park tour guides were phenominal and when they raised the missile out of its shelter I was amazed. Its a must see if you like military history.
This article was last modified 2 years ago