Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site

Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site is 4 mi. n. via SR 45 to 555 113 1/2 Ave. N.E. The site known as Oscar-Zero was a top-secret U.S. military arsenal and launch center for 10 nuclear missiles, with an aboveground support building and an underground cement bunker that housed 60 people. This is the only retired launch facility open to the public; it closed in 1997 as a result of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) signed by the United States and Russia.

After watching a 20-minute orientation video about the facility's construction visitors tour the support building, kept as it was when the eight-member security and maintenance team who lived there 24 hours a day left for the last time. Sixty feet underground via elevator are the support system and launch facilities ensuring that 10 “minute man” nuclear missiles could be sent skyward at a moment's notice.

The November-33 Launch Facility site, east off SR 200 from the junction with SR 45 (about 7 miles from this site), consists of the aboveground remains of a retired missile silo. Self-guiding tours include interpretive signs that relate the history of START, the creation of the minute man missile, missile transportation and servicing, and launch facility security.

Guided tours are available. Time: Allow 1 hour, 30 minutes minimum.