The 1950s Cold War Came to Delco

History Spotlight Written by Doug Humes

World War II ended in August of 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 1950’s, 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.

A 1965 aerial photo showing the base along Delchester Road

Newtown Square Historical Society

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 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.

Sign of the times in 1955

Newtown Square Historical Society

Over the next few years, as missiles improved in range and power, the new generation – Hercules – were installed in area sites. While the Ajax was a conventional warhead, the Hercules missiles were nuclear.

Nike Ajax missilesWikipedia

(public domain)

Having a missile site in your neighborhood was a two edged sword – while it may have given some sense of protection, it had its own risks. In May, 1958, eight fully armed missiles blew up “in a furious mushroom of fire and death,” at a Nike base in Middletown, NJ, killing 10 men. Those missiles were not the nuclear missiles, or the results could have been much worse.

Radar stanchions, one of the last surviving structures in 2012

2012 Steven Strommer

While anti-war sentiment grew in the 1960’s, it came earlier to Edgmont in 1958 when a group of 50 young activists held a silent vigil for peace at the entrance to the base that lasted several days.

Abandoned storage shed at Nike base in Edgmont

2012 Steven Strommer

Intercontinental ballistic missiles spelled the end to the Nike bases. The new missiles traveled too quickly to be intercepted by the Nikes, designed for slower flying bombers. The Nike bases were all closed down, including Edgmont in September 1968. The site continues to be used as a U.S. ArmyReserve Center. Cold War traces remain there, as well as in the Don Guanella woods, which once hosted an anti-aircraft battery.

For more on the history of Marple, visit the Marple Historical Society website and Facebook page, and join the Society to keep up to date on coming events: www.MarpleHistoricalSociety. org. No events or activities due to COVID. We hope to have an announcement soon about resuming open houses at the Massey House. Check on Facebook or at the website for more details.