Nike Missile Site BO-37 Squantum/Long Island Massachusetts
This was the launch site for a battery of Nike Ajax missiles, active between 1955 and 1961, one of fifteen Nike Missile sites operated in Massachusetts between the 1950's and the 1970's to defend coastal urban areas against aerial attack. Missiles were stored underground and launched from the area now covered by a concrete slab. This launch complex is on Long Island, while the control center for the battery was on the mainland, connected to the island by a bridge and causeway. Long Island extends far into Boston Harbor, and remains off limits to the public, as its primary function today is to house treatment centers for individuals suffering from a variety of afflictions, including alcoholism, drug dependency, and other social and mental disorders. Later versions of the Nike deployed in Massachusetts had nuclear warheads, despite a limited, 75 mile range.
LocationIFC: Squantum near intersection of Dorchester Street and Moon Island causeway.
Launcher Area: Long Island, Boston Harbor (connected to Moon Island by bridge). On north side of access road before the Municipal Hospital (opposite City of Boston’s Potter’s Field cemetery.)
Housing: Squantum Naval Housing- near intersection of Dorchester Street and Quincy Shore Drive
Dates of Operation1955-1961
Weapons System
Nike Ajax / 20 (10 per launcher section)
8 mounted on launchers (4 per launcher section)
2 Magazines
2 Ajax
Active Army Nike-Ajax site.
Apr 55-Dec 61. Housing area was on site
of Squantum Naval Air Station which was in operation from 1929-54,
closing in Jun 56. Housing Area was retained for
use by military personnel.
Launcher Area
Aerial view of Launcher Area on Long Island in Boston Harbor. View is looking northeast. IFC was to the southwest (behind the photographer). fort Strong was on the ne end of the island beyond the City of Boston hospital complex on the hill in the center of the island where the water tower is. The grove of trees to the left of the launcher site is the City of Boston's potter's field cemetery. This site was Ajax-equipped. 12 August 1959.
Aerial view of Launcher Area on Long Island in Boston Harbor. View is looking southwest. Boston Harbor is to the right, Quincy Bay to the left. The IFC was located down the road cutting across the picture to the right. To get to it a bridge and causeway had to be crossed. 12 August 1959.
Aerial view of Launcher Area on Long Island in Boston Harbor. View is looking southeast towards Quincy Bay. 12 August 1959.