Ludlow in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Project Carryall
Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 14, 2010
1. Project Carryall Marker
With the end of World War II and the onset of the Cold War, America embarked on an ambitious program to ensure the nation's preeminence in the nuclear arms race. To this end Edward Teller and the Atomic Energy Commission detonated hundreds of nuclear devices underwater, underground, and in the atmosphere. Weapons development remained paramount, but the AEC also held a mandate to develop peaceful uses for atomic power. In 1957 California's Lawrence Livermore Laboratory launched an experimental program called Operation Plowshare to use nuclear energy for such applications as power plants, medicine, mining, the extraction of oil and natural gas, and for the excavation of canals, harbors and roadways. Under Plowshare, a 1963 feasibility study was conducted for Project Carryall, a plan to realign the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad and provide a route for Interstate 40. 23 nuclear explosions totaling 1.8 Megatons were to be used to excavate 1 2-mile cut up to 350 feet deep through the Bristol Mountains east of Ludlow and remove 60 million cubic yards of rock. Despite many assurances of safety from the AEC, obvious environmental and health concerns over this and other Plowshare projects caused several postponements, and in 1968 the project was dropped completely. 28 nuclear tests were conducted under operation Plowshare before its termination in 1975.
Erected 2010 by Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management and the Knoll Family. (Marker Number 139.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic
this page online
Location. 34° 43.419′ N, 116° 9.804′ W. Marker is in Ludlow, California, in San Bernardino County. It is at the intersection of National Trails Highway and Crucero Road, on the right when traveling east on National Trails Highway. Marker is located in front of the Ludlow Coffee Shop. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 68315 National Trails Highway, Ludlow CA 92338, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, in the Mojave Desert, in the Peninsular Ranges, and specifically in the Transverse Ranges. It is also in the American Southwest. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 5 miles of this
Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 3, 2024
2. Project Carryall Marker
Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 14, 2010
3. Project Carryall Marker
Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 3, 2024
4. Project Carryall Marker
Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 2, 2010
5. Project Carryall - Blasting the Bristols
Photographed by Randi, February 26, 2025
6. Project Carryall Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 5,046 times since then and 211 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on January 9, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 2. submitted on February 12, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on January 9, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4. submitted on February 12, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5. submitted on January 9, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 6. submitted on February 26, 2025, by Randi of Seligman, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
