Did you know that this unassuming site was once a critical part of America’s defense? Welcome to MS-70 Nike Missile Control Site. This site was the last line of defense for the Twin Cities. It stood ready to intercept Soviet nuclear weapons. Commissioned in October 1959, MS-70 was one of four Nike Hercules batteries protecting the area. The other sites were in Roberts, Farmington, and Bethel/Isanti. They formed a ring 30 miles from the Twin Cities. The Chicago District of the Corps of Engineers oversaw the construction. Regular Army units manned all four batteries.
MS-70, located in St. Bonifacius, played a vital role. The Birdie command and control facility at Snelling Air Force Station provided target information. This information guided the Nike Hercules missiles. Each site had 12 launchers. These missiles were designed to destroy long-range enemy bombers. They were stored underground. Elevators brought them to the surface for launch.
Imagine the tension during the Cold War. The fate of the Twin Cities potentially depended on this site. The Nike-Hercules missile could strike down incoming threats. Though leveled above ground, underground facilities remain. One visitor described them as a beautiful space of their own. However, there are no more missiles.
MS-70, like the other sites, was decommissioned in June 1971. All Nike sites were decommissioned on February 4, 1978. Today, the control site is under private ownership. The launch site has also been transferred out of DoD control. A replica of the Nike-Hercules missile is on display in St. Bonifacius. It serves as a reminder of this site’s past. Joe Pittman, a Nike Launcher Repairman, visited the site in 2010. He noted its deteriorated state but appreciated seeing this Cold War history.
Although time has passed, the MS-70 Nike Missile Control Site remains a piece of history. It reminds us of a tense period. It shows the dedication to protecting our cities. As you leave today, remember the role this site played. It stood ready to defend against a potential nuclear attack. It is a silent sentinel of a bygone era.