Detroit’s Cold War Nuclear Missile Defense System
Did you know Detroit was home to 16 missile sites during the cold war? They were part of the Nike missile system – but before we get to why they were here…let’s address why they came to mind.
The Missile In The Garage
Police in Bellevue, Washington were called to a home to check out a very different artifact in a garage. A Cold War-era missile.
They were called in after a man called the Air Force Museum in Ohio and offered to donate the missile. Police came out with the bomb squad to check it out (the man said it had belonged to his late neighbor). After careful investigation (and some research) they concluded it was an AIR-2 Genie “unguided air to air rocket” built to carry a nuclear warhead. It did NOT have one on it — or any type of payload/explosives. They told the guy he can keep it. Here’s some news reports about it:
Detroit’s Nuclear Defense System
So after seeing this story I started thinking about Detroit’s nuclear defense system. We really had one. Detroit was home to 16 missile sites during the cold war. They were called Nike missiles – each with a range of 90 miles to serve as anti-nuclear missile defense systems.
(Photo by Carl Iwasaki/Getty Images)
Between 1953 and 1974, Detroit was protected by these Nike missile sites (most historians believed Detroit was high on the Russians target list due to our industrial abilities and factories). But it wasn’t just in Detroit – at one point there were more than 265 Nike missile bases in the United States.
So Are There Still Missile Sites in Detroit?
The short answer. Yes…but you have to look closely. Channel 4 did a story on this back in 2022 and they’re all grown over (there was a radio tower on Belle Isle during the cold war that would receive warning messages to relay to the local sites).
If you head out Shelby Township, you might be able to find some remains of their Nike missile site.
https://www.shelbytwp.org/our-township/resident-information/shelby-township-history/nike-missile-base
There’s also a sign at Riverbend park in Utica acknowledging the missiles:
Of course if you REALLY want go full Cold War – there was a nuclear silo turned into an AirBNB a couple of years ago.
15 Unique Michigan Festivals You Need To Check Out
Empire Asparagus Festival
This unique festival is located near Sleeping Bear Dunes in Empire. It has been happening since 1974. Featuring food and drink vendors, a display of the season’s largest asparagus, the crowning of an asparagus queen, and even an asparagus poetry contest. The Empire Asparagus Festival is scheduled for June 3.
National Asparagus Festival
There are two festivals in Michigan that celebrate asparagus. This National Festival is in Hart, which is in Oceana County. National Asparagus Festival is the longest-running asparagus festival in the country and 2023 marks the 50th festival. It takes place this year on June 20.
National Cereal Festival
Battle Creek is the home of the Kellogg’s brand and the National Cereal Festival. The festival features a variety of entertainment; live music, children’s activities, inflatables, and free cereal for attendees. This year’s event will take place on June 10.
Outhouse Classic
The Outhouse Classic is a unique twist on outhouses. They are made of wood, crates, cardboard, and other items, put on skis, and then raced down Main Street by a pair of runners. Prizes are given in different categories to the teams with the best times. This event happens February annually in Trenary, Michigan.
Yale Bologna Festival
This 3-day festival takes place in Yale, located in St. Clair County. The Yale Bologna Festival has been a tradition since 1989. The festival includes outhouses races, a street dance, fireworks, and a parade down Main Street. The 33rd Yale Bologna Festival will take place this year July 28 through July 30.
Elvis Fest
Elvis Fest is a celebration of all things Elvis. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll fans can see Elvis impersonators, dance to classic songs, and enjoy beer and food. This year’s venue will be the Wayne County Fairgrounds, Belleville on July 7 and July 8.
Michigan Bacon Festival
This one-day festival is for those who love bacon. Michigan Bacon Festival has everything from bacon mac and cheese, bacon beer, to bacon donuts. The festival will take place on July 30 at Jackson Field in Lansing.
Old Town Scrapfest
Beautiful works of art from hundreds of pounds of scrap is created and displayed at Old Town Scrapfest in Lansing. The festival began as a scrap metal artwork competition and has grown into a full art festival that focuses on up-cycled and repurposed artwork. It has a scrap metal sculpture competition, eco-art booth vendors, family activities, live music, and food. Scrapfest is scheduled for July 14 and July 15.
Mighty Uke Day
This one-day Ukulele festival takes place in East Lansing. It features workshops, lessons, and performances.
National Baby Food Festival
The national headquarters of Gerber Products Company is in Michigan. So, it makes sense that the state has a National Baby Food Festival in Fremont. It’s a celebration of baby health and nutrition. The festival features a baby crawl, a baby food-eating contest, a farmer’s market, a car show, and more. The weeklong event takes place annually the third week of July. The next National Baby Food Festival is happening on July 19 through July 22.
Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival
More than 50,000 people travel to New Baltimore for Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival. The festival has live entertainment, a Miss Bay-Rama Queens Pageant, fireworks, a parade, and kids day. The weeklong event is happening June 21 through June 25.
Festival of the Forks
Festival of the Forks is held in downtown Albion. It doesn’t celebrate forks. It’s a celebration of Albion’s food, music, diversity, healthy habits. This event will take place on the third weekend in September, the 15th through the 16th.
Wizard of Oz Festival
The Wizard of Oz Festival in Ionia allows attendees to dress up like your favorite character and participate in arts and crafts, photo opportunities, a 5K race, movie screenings and more. According to the event Facebook page. It is scheduled for September 23, 2023.
Gizzard Festival
Gizzard Festival in Potterville is scheduled for June 8, 9, and 10 this year. Attendees can enter the gizzard eating contest, play in the corn hole tournament, or take line dancing lessons. The festival will also host its second annual Gizzard Fest Pageant.
Humongous Fungus Festival
This two-day festival in August celebrates the mushrooms that grow in the community. Specifically, the 38-acre humongous fungus that was discovered nearly three decades ago. The Humongous Fungus Festival in Crystal Falls features food from local vendors, craft vendors, a mushroom cookoff, and guided walks identifying different types of mushrooms. This festival is scheduled for August 25 and August 26.
