Near Carpendale in Mineral County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Allegany Ballistics Laboratory
AIAA Historic Aerospace Site
November 8, 2007
1. Allegany Ballistics Laboratory Marker
Established in 1944 on the site of a former ammunition plant, this facility is one of the key locations that helped establish the U.S. solid rocket industry after World War II. Numerous tactical rocket motors and propulsion devices for the defense weaponry of the nation have been manufactured and tested at "Rocket Center," including the cast double base propellant process and the second stage of the Polaris missile.
Erected 2002 by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce • War, Cold. In addition, it is included in the AIAA Historic Aerospace Sites series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2002.
Location. 39° 33.774′ N, 78° 50.544′ W. Marker is near Carpendale, West Virginia, in Mineral County. It can be reached from Plant 1 Access Road 0.3 miles north of Rocket Center Road (State Route 956). The marker stands at the corner of the parking lot at the Security and Visitor Center just before the gated entrance to Plant One. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Eastern Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.3 miles away in Maryland); Brady's Crossing (approx. 2½ miles away in Maryland); Fort Sellers (approx. 2.9 miles away); Sallie Pollock-Cook-High (approx. 4.9 miles away in Maryland); Pvt James D. Pollock (approx. 4.9 miles away in Maryland); Spendelow Camp (approx. 4.9 miles away in Maryland); First Toll Gate House (approx. 5.2 miles away in Maryland); a different marker also named The La Vale Toll House (approx. 5.2 miles away in Maryland).
Another marker is no longer nearby. The La Vale Toll House (was approx. 5.2 miles away in Maryland but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Regarding Allegany Ballistics Laboratory. There is an Allegany Ballistics Laboratory historical display located in the Allegany Museum in downtown Cumberland, Maryland, about 7 miles north of the plant.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2025. This page has been viewed 296 times since then and 77 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 8, 2025. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. In other words: A wide view photo of the marker showing its location in context. • Can you help?
