Lewis in Essex County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Atlas F Missle Silo Site in Lewis, NY and War Veterans
Photographed By Steve Stoessel, July 13, 2019
1. Atlas F Missle Silo and Veterans Marker
Cold War- In 1962 the United States constructed 12 Atlas F Missile Silos in the mountains of upstate New York. They were designed to strike Russia in the event of nuclear war. One was installed in Lewis, NY. At 52-feet wide and 176-feet deep, this "superhardened” silo could withstand a 200-pound-per-square-inch blast. Originally the silo went down 7 floors with 2,000 square feet of space and ground access through a 40-foot tunnel. The Lewis missile silo was in active operation until 1965 when most sites were closed and surrounded by a 5-acre boundary and 8-foot, chain-linked fence topped with barbed wire. In 1980 two men were caught and arrested for trespassing inside the Lewis missile silo. Some silos including this one in Lewis have been purchased by private owners since closed by the government.
War of 1812 - the Battle of Plattsburgh had 45 men from Lewis under Deacon Levi Brown. Most were in service from September 2-16, 1814.
Civil War 1865- More than 110 soldiers in the Civil War were from Lewis and Lewis's population was 1,774 people.
World War I-In 1917, there were 28 veterans from Lewis.
World War Il -In 1941, there were over 120 veterans from Lewis. There was a tower located near the corner of the old Grange Hall on Route 9 and Osawentha Drive to watch for planes during
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Vietnam War - In 1969, there were 16 veterans from Lewis.
The Lewis silo is currently owned by Australian Architect and Designer Alexander Michael. He has been in the process of restoring the silo into livable space. There are only a few within U.S. and around the World that are currently used as living space. Alexander Michael has taken over 11-years to restore the silo to its current state. He does occasionally offer tours.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.
Location. 44° 16.596′ N, 73° 33.884′ W. Marker is in Lewis, New York, in Essex County. Memorial is on U.S. 9, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lewis NY 12950, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Town of Lewis Veterans Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Inez Milholland (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lewis Hotel and Central School (about 600 feet away); Maccabee Hall and Other Lewis Landmarks (about 700 feet away); Edgar P. Wadhams (approx. 2.7 miles away); John Brown’s Body (approx. 4.6 miles away); Elizabethtown War Memorials (approx. 4.6 miles away); Toll-Gate House (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewis.
Photographed By Steve Stoessel, July 13, 2019
2. Lewis War Veterans Marker
Photographed By Steve Stoessel, July 13, 2019
3. Lewis, NY
Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 979 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 13, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
