Coliseum Central in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Ajax
Upper Stage Army SAM
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Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 28, 2017
1. Ajax Marker
Beginning from the early 1950s into the 1960s, during the Cold War era, concerns created the need for basing surface-to-air missiles near U.S. military installations. Built for the U.S. Army by Western Electric and initially deployed in 1953, the Nike-Ajax missile was a vital part of this type of localized defensive perimeter which had been installed around the country. There were several Nike sites on the Peninsula.
There are two Ajax liquid-fueled, upper stage rockets which are on display here in the park and typically carried a nuclear or conventional warhead.
Erected by Air Power Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 2.598′ N, 76° 21.937′ W. Marker was in Hampton, Virginia. It was in Coliseum Central. It could be reached from West Mercury Boulevard (U.S. 258) west of LaSalle Avenue (Virginia Route 167), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 413 W Mercury Blvd, Hampton
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was on Virginias Peninsula and in Coastal Virginia. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Nike-Ajax (a few steps from this marker); A-2 Polaris (within shouting distance of this marker); F-105D Thunderchief / SM-78 Jupiter (within shouting distance of this marker); RF-4C Phantom II / M-2 (MGM-5) Corporal (within shouting distance of this marker); F-89 / J Scorpion / F-101F Voodoo (within shouting distance of this marker); F-100D Super Saber Mercury/Little Joe Booster (within
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 28, 2017
2. Ajax Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. RF-4C Phantom II (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); M-2 Corporal (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); F-105D Thunderchief (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); F-89J Scorpion (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); F-101F Voodoo (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 671 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on June 11, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
