Site NY-03/04 housed both Nike Ajax (shown) and Nike Hercules missiles. Photo: Don Bender
Located only a few miles west of the Hudson River, the Orangeburg Nike site was one of four six-magazine “double” Nike sites constructed within the New York metro area. At these double sites, two standard three-magazine sites were constructed side by side, effectively doubling the site’s capabilities. Because the two missile batteries shared a common facility, land acquisition costs and the costs associated with developing the necessary infrastructure could be reduced. Site NY-03/04 remained operational through the closure of the nationwide Nike system in 1974.
Location
Launcher Area:
Orangeburg, (Rockland County), NY
Control Area:
Mt. Nebo, Orangeburg, (Rockland County), NY
Dates of Operation
1955-1974
Radar Types
ACQR, LOPAR, ABAR, HIPAR
Missile Magazines
6 Magazines (double site).
4 type “B” and 2 type “C”.
Missiles
60 Nike Ajax (initial configuration)
18 Nike Hercules (3 magazines converted)
Nike Hercules Conversion: 1959-1960
Units
Army
A/66th (1955-1957)
A/737th(1957-1958)
A/5/7th (1958-1964)
National Guard
C/1/244th (1964-1974)
Current Condition
The launcher area off of Route 303 in North Orangeburg is presently utilized as an Army Reserve Center. The original structures appear to have been removed, the underground missile magazines have been paved over and the area is used as a parking lot. The original perimeter fence around the magazines seems to be intact.
A pleasant surprise, several original buildings and infrastructure can still be seen at the former IFC Area atop Mt. Nebo. These are located nearby in the Nike Overlook Park section of Clausland Mountain County Park and can be visited.
Three Army buildings are visible off of Bogart Place in the former Camp Shanks area, southwest of the former Launcher Area. These are adjacent to what seems to have been the former Family Housing Area. They may have been from the site NY-01 headquarters facility. New development in the area may have already erased these buildings.