Nike Missile Site C-47
Nike Missile Site C-47 is a former missile site near Portage, Indiana. The Nike defense system was a Cold War-era missile system in the United States. Nike missiles were radar guided, supersonic antiaircraft missiles. The planners hoped that Nike would make a direct attack on the U.S. so costly as to be futile.
Nike Missile Site C-47 | |
| Nearest city | County Roads 600N and 700N, south of Portage, Portage Township, Porter County, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°31′24″N 87°10′40″W |
| Area | 29 acres (12 ha) |
| Architect | U.S. Army |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001669 |
| Added to NRHP | January 21, 2000 |
Nike missile sites were constructed in defensive rings around major urban and industrial areas. Chicago was likely selected because of its population, the presence of several military bases, and the Gary, Indiana, steel industry. Nike C-47 (Nike 1B, 1C/12H, 20A/12L-U, (8L-H)) near Portage was designed with two units nearly a mile apart. The first section was the Launcher Area located on the south side of County Road 700 North, approximately 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) west of County Road 500 West, in Porter County, Indiana. The second area was the Control Area, also known as the Administration Area, located on the north side of County Road 600 North, near Wheeler. Construction of the base began in 1954 and it was operational by 1956.