List of Nike missile sites
Site Name Missile Type Defense Area Site Location Service Dates Control Site condition/owner Launch Site condition/owner
C-03 Nike 3B , 2C/18H , 20A/20L-UA , ( 12L-H ) Chicago-Gary Montrose Harbor / Belmont Harbor Oct 1955 - June 1965 FDS . Razed and redeveloped into Montrose Harbor Park ( part of the Lincoln Park extension ) along the Chicago lakefront ; on the former site of the control building is a beach restaurant called The Dock at Montrose Harbor . 41°57′51″N 087°38′07″W / 41.96417°N 87.63528°W / 41.96417 ; -87.63528 ( C-03-CS ) FDS . Totally obliterated . Now a grassy area south of Belmont Harbor along the Chicago lakefront in Lincoln Park . 41°56′18″N 087°38′03″W / 41.93833°N 87.63417°W / 41.93833 ; -87.63417 ( C-03-LS )
C-32 Nike 3B/12H , 20A/12L-U Chicago-Gary Porter , Indiana 1957 - Apr 1974 Partially redeveloped ; now the location of National Park Service Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore offices . Some of the original buildings remain intact , but were repurposed by the NPS . The site is approximately half a mile due west of former launch site . 41°37′50″N 087°05′16″W / 41.63056°N 87.08778°W / 41.63056 ; -87.08778 ( C-32-CS ) Fenced and behind a locked gate , largely intact . Privately owned , abandoned and overgrown , surrounded on north and east by a new subdivision . Concrete pad still visible . Launch site buildings still have doors and window glass . Magazine launch doors removed ; site appears to be filled in , with vegetation covering fill sites . One of the ready buildings on the south end of the site was sold independently of the main parcel , and is now a private residence 41°37′55″N 087°04′28″W / 41.63194°N 87.07444°W / 41.63194 ; -87.07444 ( C-32-LS )
C-40 Nike 1B , 2C/30A/12L-A Chicago-Gary Burnham Park ( Chicago ) 1955 - Aug 1963 FDS . Totally obliterated by new construction . You can walk on the former IFC at Lake Shore and E 31st Street ; now a nice little park with a playground and good view of downtown , Lake Michigan , Navy Pier and Chicago Harbor Lighthouse . 41°50′16″N 087°36′24″W / 41.83778°N 87.60667°W / 41.83778 ; -87.60667 ( C-40-CS ) FDS . Totally obliterated ; formerly a three-magazine ( 1B2C ) /12-launcher facility with battery at Lake Shore Drive off the end of what 's now I-55 , south of the McCormick Place complex . Now part of the McCormick Place Bird Sanctuary . 41°50′54″N 087°36′44″W / 41.84833°N 87.61222°W / 41.84833 ; -87.61222 ( C-40-LS )
C-41 Nike 1B , 2C/18H , 30A/12L-U Chicago-Gary Jackson Park ( Chicago ) 1955 - Jun 1971 On the south side in Jackson Park near the Museum of Science and Industry , at approximately 57th Street . The radar/control towers were built on Promontory Point . Redeveloped ; now Promontory Point Park . 41°47′46″N 87°34′32″W / 41.796134°N 87.575549°W / 41.796134 ; -87.575549 ( C-41-CS ) FDS . The administrative , housing , and launch complex area was located just west of South Lake Shore Drive , between the 59th St Harbor and Hayes Dr . The launch batteries and magazines were on the east edge of the Jackson Park Lagoons ( facing east ) , about 3/4 mile away from the IFC radar site . The site has been totally obliterated ; now part of the Bobolink Meadow and a golf driving range facility . 41°47′03″N 87°34′49″W / 41.784142°N 87.580163°W / 41.784142 ; -87.580163 ( C-41-LS )
C-44 Nike 2B , 4C/60A/24L-AA Chicago-Gary Hegewisch / Wolf Lake , Illinois ( dual site ) 1955 - Mar 1963 FDS . Abandoned and overgrown site at the south end of lake/state recreation area . Appears to be largely intact underneath vegetation overgrowth ; old access road entrance at Ave J & 133 Street largely obliterated . This area is within the SRA on the southern shore of the lake . 41°39′27″N 087°31′55″W / 41.65750°N 87.53194°W / 41.65750 ; -87.53194 ( C-44-CS ) FDS . Abandoned site at the north end of the SRA/north shore of the lake , where S. Wolf lake Blvd . becomes S. State Line Rd . Roads in very poor condition , main access road overgrown by vegetation . Buildings have been razed but foundations remain ; double-Nike-Ajax magazines badly cracked with wild vegetation overgrowing . 41°40′34″N 087°31′40″W / 41.67611°N 87.52778°W / 41.67611 ; -87.52778 ( C-44-LS )
C-45 Nike 2B/20A/8L-A Chicago-Gary Gary Municipal Airport , Indiana 1957 - June 1960 Redeveloped area in northern tip of airport now has a general aviation hangar , parking lot and ramp area for aircraft parking . Site is across Industrial Highway from former launch site . 41°37′24″N 087°25′02″W / 41.62333°N 87.41722°W / 41.62333 ; -87.41722 ( C-45-CS ) Razed but broken concrete pads still visible ; former Civil Defense site . Also used as police firing range for the City of Gary , with former assembly building berm as the back stop . 41°37′28″N 087°24′43″W / 41.62444°N 87.41194°W / 41.62444 ; -87.41194 ( C-45-LS )
C-46 Nike 1B , 1C/12H , 20A/12L-U , ( 8L-H ) Chicago-Gary Munster , Indiana 1957 - Sep 1974 Completely redeveloped into industrial park on W side of Calumet Ave. N of 45th St. 41°32′41″N 087°30′29″W / 41.54472°N 87.50806°W / 41.54472 ; -87.50806 ( C-46-CS ) ( Approximate ) Launch site on W side of Columbia Ave. razed in 2008 , completely obliterated ; missile magazines filled in , concrete pads removed . Now privately owned but undeveloped . 41°31′40″N 087°30′53″W / 41.52778°N 87.51472°W / 41.52778 ; -87.51472 ( C-46-LS )
C-47 Nike 1B , 1C/12H , 20A/12L-U , ( 8L-H ) Chicago-Gary South Haven / Wheeler , Indiana 1956 - Mar 1974 Private ownership . Now Blast Camp paint-ball park . IFC is abandoned and very overgrown with vegetation . All buildings are still standing as well as several radar towers . Site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . 41°31′25″N 087°10′37″W / 41.52361°N 87.17694°W / 41.52361 ; -87.17694 ( C-47-CS ) Now owned by Portage Township School Corporation ; site is in the middle of farm fields . Locked gate and fence ; however , launch facility is abandoned and deteriorating - all buildings are standing , but they are in bad shape.Launch area concrete badly cracked , doors rusting , all of the magazines are filled to surface level with groundwater due the high water table in the area . 41°31′59″N 087°10′01″W / 41.53306°N 87.16694°W / 41.53306 ; -87.16694 ( C-47-LS )
C-48 Nike 2B/20A/8L-A Chicago-Gary Gary , Indiana 1957 - June 1960 FDS . Redeveloped but abandoned ; site of a former automobile dealership on Grant Street , now empty . 41°33′26″N 087°21′16″W / 41.55722°N 87.35444°W / 41.55722 ; -87.35444 ( C-48-CS ) FDS . Redeveloped into commercial/industrial site near NW corner of 35th Avenue and Grant Street . Some broken concrete remains of launch area . 41°33′20″N 087°21′29″W / 41.55556°N 87.35806°W / 41.55556 ; -87.35806 ( C-48-LS )
C-49/50 Nike 1B , 2C/18H , 30A/11L-U Chicago-Gary Homewood , Illinois 1957 - Apr 1974 FDS . Leveled and cleared ; redeveloped into Patriots Park along 187th Street 41°33′02″N 087°38′51″W / 41.55056°N 87.64750°W / 41.55056 ; -87.64750 ( C-49/50-CS ) FDS . Totally obliterated ; replaced by the South Suburban Rehab Center at 19000 S Halsted St. 41°32′36.0″N 087°38′12.9″W / 41.543333°N 87.636917°W / 41.543333 ; -87.636917 ( C-49/50-LS )
C-51 Nike 2B , 1C/30A/12L-A Chicago-Gary Alsip , Illinois / Palos Heights , Illinois 1956 - Mar 1963 FDS . Being cleared and leveled . 41°39′50″N 087°45′07″W / 41.66389°N 87.75194°W / 41.66389 ; -87.75194 ( C-51-CS ) FDS . Being cleared and leveled . Some traces of building foundations , nothing of missile launchers or magazine . 41°40′17″N 087°46′23″W / 41.67139°N 87.77306°W / 41.67139 ; -87.77306 ( C-51-LS )
C-54 Nike 1B , 2C/30A/12L-A Chicago-Gary Orland Park , Illinois 1955 - Dec 1961 FDS . Site razed in 2006 ; now a vacant lot with visible concrete debris piled up in several places . Located at the north end of Centennial Park along 153rd St. between Huntington Ct. and Hickory Dr. 41°36′40″N 087°52′08″W / 41.61111°N 87.86889°W / 41.61111 ; -87.86889 ( C-54-CS ) FDS . Totally obliterated and redeveloped . Now a retention pond and parking lot for a Target store along La Grange Road/U.S . 45 at 158th St. 41°36′16″N 087°51′04″W / 41.60444°N 87.85111°W / 41.60444 ; -87.85111 ( C-54-LS )
C-61 Nike 2B/12H , 20A/8L-U Chicago-Gary Willowbrook , Illinois / Darien , Illinois 1955 - Nov 1968 FDS . Totally obliterated . Now a forest preserve . 41°43′20″N 087°57′50″W / 41.72222°N 87.96389°W / 41.72222 ; -87.96389 ( C-61-CS ) Totally obliterated and redeveloped into the Parkhurst US Army Reserve Center . 41°43′42″N 087°58′36″W / 41.72833°N 87.97667°W / 41.72833 ; -87.97667 ( C-61-LS )
C-70 Nike 1B , 2C/30A/12L-A Chicago-Gary Naperville , Illinois 1956 - Mar 1963 FDS . Redeveloped into an office park north of I-88 . 41°48′36″N 088°08′50″W / 41.81000°N 88.14722°W / 41.81000 ; -88.14722 ( C-70-CS ) FDS . Redeveloped into Nike Park Sports Complex on Diehl Road 41°47′56″N 088°09′07″W / 41.79889°N 88.15194°W / 41.79889 ; -88.15194 ( C-70-LS )
C-72 Nike 1B , 2C/18H , 30A/10L-U Chicago-Gary Addison , Illinois 1957 - Apr 1974 IFC Redeveloped into a public park called Nike Park , in the middle of a much larger industrial park . Base of radar tower and control building remain S.E . of baseball diamond . 41°55′24″N 088°01′46″W / 41.92333°N 88.02944°W / 41.92333 ; -88.02944 ( C-72-CS ) Launch site re-developed into the headquarters building for the Addison Park District ; the only remains are the existing fenceline as well as a van pad located to the north of the complex . 41°54′49″N 088°00′59″W / 41.91361°N 88.01639°W / 41.91361 ; -88.01639 ( C-72-LS )
C-80/81 Nike 2B , 4C/60A/24L-AA Chicago-Gary Arlington Heights , Illinois ( dual site ) ( Shared by C-80/C-81 ) 1950 - Aug 1974 IFC Redeveloped into 2 parks ; no remains . 42°03′11″N 087°59′40″W / 42.05306°N 87.99444°W / 42.05306 ; -87.99444 ( C-80/81-CS ) FDS . Redeveloped into part golf course , part U.S. Army Reserve center . The building that housed the Missile Master site is still standing and concrete paddocks that held radar tower are still visible . 42°03′49″N 087°59′52″W / 42.06361°N 87.99778°W / 42.06361 ; -87.99778 ( C-80/81-LS )
C-84 Nike 1B , 2C/30A/12L-A Chicago-Gary Palatine , Illinois 1956-1963 FDS . Redeveloped into open greenspace with retention ponds . 42°09′17″N 088°02′49″W / 42.15472°N 88.04694°W / 42.15472 ; -88.04694 ( C-84-CS ) FDS . Redeveloped into a corporate office complex . 42°09′26″N 088°03′30″W / 42.15722°N 88.05833°W / 42.15722 ; -88.05833 ( C-84-LS )
C-92/94 Nike 1B , 2C/30A/12L-A Chicago-Gary Vernon Hills , Illinois 1955-1963 FDS . Redeveloped into Vernon Hills Athletic Complex . 42°13′14″N 087°57′11″W / 42.22056°N 87.95306°W / 42.22056 ; -87.95306 ( C-92/94-CS ) FDS . C-92 Redeveloped into Vernon Hills Athletic Complex . Excavated into a pond . 42°13′32″N 087°57′26″W / 42.22556°N 87.95722°W / 42.22556 ; -87.95722 ( C-92-LS ) Second launch ( C-94 ) area redeveloped into Vernon Hills Water Treatment Plant but missile silos still visible . 42°13′31.44″N 087°56′53.52″W / 42.2254000°N 87.9482000°W / 42.2254000 ; -87.9482000 ( C-94-LS )
C-93 Nike 2B/12H , 20A/8L-U Chicago-Gary Northfield/Skokie Lagoons Glencoe , Illinois 1955 - Apr 1974 The radar and control facility was located on the west side of Forest Way Drive two blocks north of Tower Road . This was a very compact facility . Cleared land , no evidence except a few pipes emerging from below ground ; apron off Forest Way still visible . Site today is on the North Branch Trail on a leveled-off hill . 42°07′13″N 087°46′09″W / 42.12028°N 87.76917°W / 42.12028 ; -87.76917 ( C-93-CS ) The missile launchers were in a large bermed compound on the other side of the lagoons adjoining the Edens Expressway , about a quarter of a mile south of Dundee Road . Land cleared and being redeveloped into forested area . Launch area now fenced off and used as a dumping ground for dredging operations and is not open to the public , complex perimeter can be viewed from the bicycle trail . Minor remnants are still visible in NE corner . Portion of the bike trail from Tower Road to the launch complex was original road used to access the base . 42°07′36″N 087°46′56″W / 42.12667°N 87.78222°W / 42.12667 ; -87.78222 ( C-93-LS )
C-98 Nike 1B , 2C/30A/12L-A Chicago-Gary Fort Sheridan , Illinois Jul 1954 - 1963 IFC existed right along the lakefront , but has now been developed and turned into an open prairie as part of the forest preserve . No remnants remain except some small broken chunks of concrete . 42°13′28″N 087°49′26″W / 42.22444°N 87.82389°W / 42.22444 ; -87.82389 ( C-98-CS ) FDS . At southwest of Fort Sheridan National Cemetery . Concrete pad visible along with launch door ( sealed ) . 42°13′23″N 087°49′22″W / 42.22306°N 87.82278°W / 42.22306 ; -87.82278 ( C-98-LS )
United States -- Illinois & Northwest Indiana
Chicago–Gary Defense Area ( C ) : Site ( C-98 ) Fort Sheridan hosted the headquarters of the Fifth Army Air Defense Command . Other regional command facilities were located at the Museum of Science and Industry , site ( C-51 ) Orland Park , and site ( C-80 ) Arlington Heights . Nike Hercules bases remained in operation at C49/50 , C-72 , and C-93 as well as at sites C-46 and C-47 in northern Indiana , until 1974 . Army Air-Defense Command Post ( AADCP ) C-80DC established at Arlington Heights AI , IL in 1960 for Nike missile command-and-control functions . The site was initially an AN/FSG-l Missile-Master Radar Direction Center . It was later upgraded to the AN/TSQ-51 `` Missile Mentor '' solid-state computer system . C-80DC was integrated with the USAF Air Defense Command/NORAD Semi Automatic Ground Environment ( SAGE ) air defense radar network as Site RP-31 / Z-31 . The Air Force ceased radar operations on 30 Sep 1969 and the AADCP was inactivated 1 Sep 1974 . Chicago–Gary Defense Area
The following is a list of Nike missile sites operated by the United States Army. This article lists sites in the United States, most responsible to Army Air Defense Command; however, the Army also deployed Nike missiles to Europe as part of the NATO alliance, with sites being operated by both American and European military forces. U.S. Army Nike sites were also operational in South Korea, Japan and were sold to Taiwan. Leftover traces of the approximately 265 Nike missile bases can still be seen around cities across the United States. As the sites were decommissioned they were first offered to federal agencies. Many were already on Army National Guard bases who continued to use the property. Others were offered to state and local governments while others were sold to school districts. The left-overs were offered to private individuals. Many Nike sites are now municipal yards, communications and FAA facilities, probation camps, and even renovated for use as Airsoft gaming and Military Simulation training complexes. Several were completely obliterated and turned into parks. Some are now private residences. Only a few are intact and preserve the history of the Nike project.