Rancho Cordova in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Rocks to Rockets

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 17, 2016

1. Rocks to Rockets Marker

Inscription. The moon room is the link between space exploration and Prairie City SVRA. This area was once home to the world's largest site for rocket engine development. This three story underground bunker was built to protect scientists during testing of one of the most powerful rocket engines ever developed.

The M-1 rocket engine was designed to lift a million pounds into space That is equivalent to the weight of 36 school busses. The engine was developed to support manned missions to Mars and lunar colonies. The need for this extremely powerful engine was short lived after our nation's focus switched to putting a person on the moon. However, not all was lost; innovations and technology developed here were used on future programs including the Space Shuttle. Keep an eye out for other rocket development and testing features as you enjoy your time at Prairie City SVRA.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.

Location. 38° 35.516′ N, 121° 9.62′ W. Marker is in Rancho Cordova, California, in Sacramento County. It is on White Rock Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13300 White Rock Road, Rancho Cordova CA 95742, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

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in Sacramento Valley,

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Prairie City (approx. 3.6 miles away); Heroes in the Sky (approx. 4.3 miles away); Natomas Consolidated of California (approx. 4½ miles away); The Treasured American River (approx. 4.7 miles away); Rhoads Diggings (approx. 5 miles away); a different marker also named Rhoads Diggings (approx. 5 miles away); We Will Not Forget... (approx. 5.2 miles away); In Memory of All American Veterans (approx. 5.2 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Prairie City Cemetery (was approx. 3.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing); The Coloma Road (was approx. 4.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. The marker is located on the grounds of Prairie City State Vehicle Recreational Area (SVRA). From White Rock Road, follow the signs to the park entrance (~0.3 miles). There is a day use fee payable at the entrance. Note that if you are not actually going

Rocks to Rockets Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 17, 2016

2. Rocks to Rockets Marker - wide view

to be using the park facilities (i.e., just looking at this marker and then leaving), you probably will not be charged the day use fee if you tell them this. From the park entrance, keep going south (straight) approximately .4 miles to the flat track area or distict office, where the marker is located.

Also see . . . M-1 (rocket engine) (Wikipedia). (Submitted on August 8, 2018.)

The Moon Room - A 3-storey underground bunker (not open to the public) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 17, 2016

3. The Moon Room - A 3-storey underground bunker (not open to the public)

Marker photo: Rocket Engines image. Click for full size.

circa 1963

4. Marker photo: Rocket Engines

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 684 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.