Missile Sites Were Built In This Connecticut State Forest

Average civilians probably don’t think of Connecticut as a particularly war-mongering state. We’re not known for any major military bases, and we don’t have a particularly large military population. It may surprise you to learn that at one point, the state was home to 12 active Nike missile defense sites. These sites were some of more than 250 placed all over the country and were intended to defend the U.S. against Russian attack during the Cold War. One such site is right in the middle of the beautiful Meshomasic State Forest, and its remnants are visible from the public hiking trails.

Project Nike was part of a U.S. Army effort to defend the United States from potential attacks. The sites consisted of a launch site for a warhead that, when triggered, would explode incoming bombers, and a radar area.

Joanne Britton/Alltrails

The Meshomasic State Forest, established in 1903, is a multi-state preserve that spans 9,000 acres.

Brenda Byers-Britney/Alltrails

You certainly wouldn’t expect it to be home to a missile base, but the HA-26 Nike Missile Site was operational here from 1956-1963.

Mustafa Kothawala/Alltrails

Of course, there are no longer any active missiles at the site, but within the forest you can see both the launch site and the nearby control tower.

Doug K/Alltrails

This area once held guard’s quarters, a military barracks, and more.

Seiko Ono/Alltrails

You can still see hints of the land’s past use: there are some concrete structures, building foundations, and more still present.

Mike Morrell/Alltrails

It’s amazing to think this peaceful state forest once held a weapon of destruction!

Justin Wadja/Alltrails

You can view the remnants of this abandoned missile in Connecticut via trails in the Meshomasic State Forest. Check out maps on Alltrails.