Nike Missile Base SL-40 Hecker, Illinois - Photos

The mess hall was the common eating facility for personnel stationed at Nike Missile Base SL-40. This building was built in 1958 from standardized drawings approved by the Corps of Engineers, which were designed by the firm of Leon Chatelain, Jr., of Washington, D.C. Nike buildings were considered modified emergency buildings. Originally, they were to be pre-fabricated structures, but were rather unsightly and did not contribute to troop morale and, there fore, were changed to modified emergency design.

The mess hall is a masonay structure containing 2,680 square feet. It has concrete footings, foundation, and floor, cinder block walls, and a built-up roof. The kitchen portion has tile floors, sealed walls and ceiling, a stainless steel serving bar, a stainless steel dishwasher, a stainless steel sink, and restroom facilities. The dining area has panelled walls and a tiled floor. There is a dry storage area, a toilet, and a boiler room, which has a separate entrance from the outside. There are two vestibules, one double-door entry way into the dining room, and one door which leads into the kitchen. There are fourteen windows, and a chimney.