News Release

National Park Service releases a new study evaluating Cold War defensive sites in the United States for potential designation as national landmarks

A group of students learn about the HM69 Nike Missile site inside Everglades National Park. This missile base was a product of the Cuban Missile Crisis and served to protect against a possible air attack fired from Cuba until it was retired in 1979.

NPS

News Release Date: October 7, 2022

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WASHINGTON – The National Park Service (NPS) today released a study identifying 24 properties with nationally significant connections to the Cold War worthy of National Historic Landmark consideration. The new theme study, Protecting America: Cold War Defensive Sites, was created in partnership with the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers and the Cold War Advisory Committee. The study covers the history and events between the 1945 Japanese surrender at the end of World War II and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, America’s principal adversary, in 1991.  

National Historic Landmarks represent outstanding aspects of American history and culture, possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States, and have a high degree of integrity of location, design, setting, material, workmanship, feeling, and association. Identifying eligibility is an initial step in nominating a property for designation.

“As a former Cold War Veteran, I understand this study meets an urgent need to identify Cold War properties that are rapidly disappearing. The history of the Cold War is told in just a handful of our national parks and National Historic Landmarks, but there are many opportunities to learn about and discuss this complex and recent history. This study provides a framework for scholars, researchers, and educators to share a deeper history through the power of place,” said NPS Director Chuck Sams. “I’m grateful for the work of our staff, collaborative partners, and the members of the Cold War Advisory Committee for their tremendous efforts in compiling this study.” 

Generally, properties must be at least 50 years old or exceptionally important to be considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or designation as a National Historic Landmark. Most properties associated with the Cold War today are fewer than 50 years old; many were demolished following their deactivation or altered enough from their historic character and no longer possess a high degree of integrity for designation or listing. Because of this and the recency of the Cold War era, relatively few properties have been designated or listed. In addition, many potential sites were demolished following their deactivation or altered enough that they lack sufficient integrity for designation or listing.  

Properties Identified for National Historic Landmark Consideration  

The theme study identified the following sites for their associations with nationally significant topics within the Cold War context. Thorough studies of their relative significance and integrity will inform whether they appear to meet National Historic Landmark requirements and may be used to support future nominations. Inclusion on this list does not mean that conclusions have been made about whether the properties meet NHL requirements.  

• Atlas ICBM Launch Facilities. (Facility 1788 Atlas D Gantry, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA; Atlas D Launch Facility 565th SMS Complex A, outside Cheyenne, WY; Atlas E Facility, in Weld County, CO)  

• B-29 Serial No. 45-21847 (Heavy Bomber), Clark County, NV.   

• Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site, Marshall Islands, Pacific Ocean.   

• Bush Compound, Kennebunkport, ME.   

• Camp David, Catoctin Mountains, MD.   

• La Casa Pacifica, San Clemente, CA.   

• Cheyenne Mountain Complex, outside Colorado Springs, CO.   

• Defense Early Warning (DEW) Line, across Alaska and Canada.   

• Nike Missile Facilities (SF-88L Nike Site in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, CA; NM-69, Battery A Nike Site in Everglades National Park; Site Summit Nike Site, AK; Porter County Nike Site in IN; Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground in Monmouth County, NJ)  

• General Purpose Laboratory (Building 9400), Camp Evans, Wall Township, NJ.   

• Little White House, Key West Naval Base, Monroe County, FL.   

• Nevada Test Site, Nye County, NV.   

• USS New Jersey (BB-62), Camden, NJ.   

• Office of Strategic Services (OSS)/Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Headquarters, Washington, DC.   

• Pierce-Mill Barn, Rock Creek Park, DC.  

• Presidential Bunkers for John F. Kennedy, Nantucket, MA and Peanut Island (Palm Beach), FL.   

• Rancho del Cielo, near Santa Barbara, CA.   

• Raven Rock (“Site R”), near Waynesboro, PA.   

• Julius and Ethel Rosenberg’s Apartment, New York City, NY.   

• Stanley R. Mickelson Safeguard Anti-Ballistic Missile Complex, near Grand Forks, ND.   

• Sedan Crater, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, NV.   

• Strategic Air Command Ground Alert Facility, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Mountain Home, ID.   

• Strategic Air Command Headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base, NE.   

• USS Turner Joy (DD-951), Bremerton, WA. 

www.nps.gov 

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