Ellsworth Air Force Base in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
HGM-25A Titan I
A Giant, Risky Solution to an Urgent Need
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. HGM-25A Titan I Marker
In the early 1960s, our leaders suspected the Soviets had better long-range nuclear weapons. They decided to install six squadrons of Titan I missiles across the nation, even given the system's disadvantages. These missiles stood guard for only three years until replaced by the more powerful Titan II and the more reliable Minuteman. From 1962 to 1965, Airmen from Ellsworth lived and worked in three huge self-sufficient underground complexes, each of which contained three missiles.
THE MAIN DISADVANTAGE
A Titan I couldn't be fueled up until just before launch. When the order came, Airmen had to swiftly pump 150,000 pounds of oxidizer into each missile, and raise them out of their silos on massive elevators. It took 15 minutes from the launch order to the liftoff—dangerously long, in a nuclear stand-off.
Covering about 30 acres, the underground bases had their own power and water supplies.
Missile silos protect their missiles from enemy attack and from the elements.
DATA CARD
Top Speed mph · 15,000
Crew · 6
Range · Intercontinental
Payload · 1.4-3.75 megaton nuclear warhead
Erected by South
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota Air and Space Museum series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.
Location. 44° 7.972′ N, 103° 4.34′ W. Marker is in Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in Pennington County. Marker and missile are on static display at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2890 Davis Drive, Ellsworth AFB SD 57706, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West River, in the Badlands, and in Greater Rapid City. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named HGM-25A Titan I (here, next to
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. HGM-25A Titan I and Marker
Left marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rockwell B-1B "Lancer" (was within shouting distance of this marker).
Regarding HGM-25A Titan I. Although an official field museum of the US Air Force Heritage Program and is adjacent to Ellsworth AFB main gate, the museum does not require access onto the base.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
3. HGM-25A Titan I
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
