Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.
Construction to Production (<i>interpretive panel inside Rocky Mountain Arsenal Visitor Center</i>)
Photographer: Cosmos Mariner
Taken: June 27, 2018
Caption: Construction to Production (interpretive panel inside Rocky Mountain Arsenal Visitor Center)
Additional Description: Construction of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal began on June 30, 1942, as the Nation armed itself for World War II. The United States knew that Germany had chemical weapons, and the Arsenal was one of three state-of-the-art chemical manufacturing facilities that were built to support the war efforts. The sites were chosen because they were far from the coasts, close to transportation, and near large workforces.

Weapons Production
South Plants was the first portion of the Arsenal to be built at a cost of about $50 million. Laborers poured onto the site from Denver and as far away as Alabama and California. Work continued around the clock to complete the 53-acre complex as quickly as possible.
The U.S. Army activated the facility just 6 months after breaking ground, a full year ahead of schedule. South Plants operated 24 hours a day, and in little more than 2 years, the United States was out-producing the Axis powers. Three major chemicals were made at the Arsenal during World War II: Mustard agent, Lewisite, and chlorine agent.

Standby Status
Over the course of the war, the Arsenal produced and filled munitions and bombs. Most were never used in combat. One exception was the bombing of Tokyo in 1945, when pilots dropped more than 1,500 tons of napalm. After the war ended, the Nation's need for chemical munitions decreased, and the Arsenal was placed on standby status. Portions of the idle manufacturing facilities were leased to Julius Hyman and Co., which produced agricultural chemicals.
Submitted: June 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Database Locator Identification Number: p432705
File Size: 4.200 Megabytes

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