History Spotlight
The 1950s Cold War Came to Delco by Doug Humes World War II ended in August 1945, but the “Cold War” essentially began at the same time. The struggle between democratic capitalism and authoritarian communism lasted for most of the 20th century. The possibility of an exchange of nuclear weapons was very real in the 1950s, and so Civil Defense became the watchword. To protect likely military and civilian targets, we installed missile bases surrounding our cities. Philadelphia, then the 3rd-largest city in the country, was one of the protected cities, with a dozen Nike missile bases ringing the city, including Site PH-75 right off of West Chester Pike in Edgmont. The Edgmont base was completed in 1955. Each site had three parts: a radar system to detect incoming aircraft and direct the outgoing missiles; with 1–3 underground “magazines,” each with four launchers; and an area for personnel, headquarters, barracks, mess, recreation hall and motor pool. The
A 1965 aerial photo showing the base along Delchester Road Newtown Square Historical Society Sign of the times in 1955 Newtown Square Historical Society
base was staffed by 109 soldiers, initially Regular Army but later PA National Guard units. The initial missile was a Nike (Greek Goddess of Victory) Ajax, with a 25-mile range that could be fired at incoming bombers. At least one launcher was on constant alert.
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