Weatogue in Simsbury in Hartford County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Nike Missile Site
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, August 12, 2019
1. Nike Missile Site Marker
This multi-used path was formerly a railroad track, used over time by both passenger and freight trains. The building perpendicular to the street replaces an earlier structure, a barn/tobacco warehouse. Growers brought tobacco there to store until shipment via rail to cigar manufacturers in the South.
In more recent history, from 1956-1963, a nearby site was the base for launching Nike Ajax surface to air missiles. Named for the Greek goddess of victory, the Nike program established some 250 sites around the nation, with 13 in Connecticut.
Nike HA-85 Avon/Simsbury was operated by the U.S. Army, with a launch site in Simsbury and a radar control site in Avon on Talcott Mountain. Both were manned 24x7, and included on-site barracks. Nike Ajax sites were eventually either converted to launch Hercules missiles, carrying nuclear warheads, or they were de-commissioned, as in Simsbury.
Erected 2019 by Town of Simsbury.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Air & Space • Railroads & Streetcars • War, Cold.
Location. 41° 50.035′ N, 72° 49.163′ W. Marker is in Simsbury, Connecticut, in Hartford County. It is in Weatogue.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Roderick A. White M.D. (approx. one mile away); Weatogue Soldiers’ Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Pettibone Tavern (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Pinchot Sycamore (approx. 1.2 miles away); Avon Veterans Monument (approx. 1.8 miles away); Avon (approx. 1.8 miles away); Charter Oak descendant (approx. 1.8 miles away); Constitution Oak (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Simsbury.
More about this marker. The marker is on the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, 0.1 miles south of Old Canal Way, behind the Cumberland Farms at 155 Hopmeadow Street. The missile base was a short walk to the west. The site is now a condominium complex.
Also see . . .
1. Nike Missile Locations, Connecticut. The Military Standard website entry (Submitted on October 9, 2019, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. Nike Historical Society. Society website homepage (Submitted on October 9, 2019, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
3. List of Nike missile USA sites. Wikipedia entry
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, August 12, 2019
2. The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail marker, south of the crossing of Old Canal Way.
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, October 12, 2019
3. The Heublein Tower on Talcott Mountain
The radar control site for the Nike missiles was 1 mile south (right) of the Heublein Tower.
via Coldwar-Ct, unknown
4. Atomic Bombs in the Backyard
Coldwar-Ct.com website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2019, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,559 times since then and 296 times this year. Last updated on January 5, 2021, by Ron serianz of Newington, Connecticut. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2019, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. 3. submitted on October 14, 2019, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. 4. submitted on September 13, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
