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All the United States Virginia Great Falls Great Falls Nike Fire Control Site W-83

Great Falls Nike Fire Control Site W-83

This former Cold War missile control site played an important role in the creation of GPS.

Great Falls, Virginia

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Remaining two radar towers and roll-top observatory. (2020)   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
The second of the two historical markers placed across Springvale Road from the former Nike site. (2020)   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
Aerial view of the Greats Falls Nike Integrated Fire Control Site in 2002, notice all of the buildings have been leveled except for the two radar towers.   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
Aerial view of the Greats Falls Nike Integrated Fire Control Site in 1976, 14 years after being transferred over to the Army Map Service.   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
Aerial view of the Greats Falls Nike Integrated Fire Control Site in 1997, 4 years after being abandoned by the Army Map Service.   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
Aerial view of the Greats Falls Nike Integrated Fire Control Site as it stands in 2019, now known as Observatory Park.   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
Remaining two radar towers and roll-top observatory. (2020)   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
Both of the remaining former radar towers. (2020)   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
One of two historical markers placed across Springvale Road from the former Nike site.   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
Turner Farm sign, October 2022   dominicbenford / Atlas Obscura User
Original parking lot looking west with playground and gazebo in the distance. (2020)   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
A section of the barbed wire fence that once surrounded the former Nike site. (2020)   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
Aerial view of the Greats Falls Nike Integrated Fire Control Site in 1960   exploringwithesch / Atlas Obscura User
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This site is one of 13 different Nike Integrated Fire Control Sites that were erected around the greater Washington D.C. and Baltimore area. The Great Falls Nike Integrated Fire Control Site not only played a part in the United States’s defense against an aerial attack, but was also crucial in the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS).

In 1954, the U.S. government purchased 12 acres of land from local dairy farmer Mark Turner, with plans to construct a Nike Integrated Fire Control Site to coincide with the Nike Missile Launch Site that was already under construction along Utterback Store Road. 

Activated in 1955, the Great Falls Nike Integrated Fire Control Site was one of many Nike Integrated Fire Control Sites crafted during the Cold War and was designed to defend against an air attack. This facility was located about a mile downrange from its respective launch area.

The Integrated Fire Control Site consisted of various structures including barracks, a mess hall, offices, and two radar towers. These towers were equipped with High-Power Acquisition Radar (HIPAR) and Missile Tracking Radar. In 1962, both the Nike Integrated Fire Control Site and the Launch Site ceased operations.

After its initial closure in 1962, the property became a research station for the U.S. Army Map Service’s efforts in geo-location and navigation. It was here that the Map Service initiated a significant satellite tracking program that would eventually become part of the Defense Mapping Agency in 1972.

This tracking system greatly contributed to the Global Positioning System (GPS), and as stated on one of the site’s historical markers, the data collected would allow, “geospatial scientists to establish precise geographical reference points on the Earth’s surface and to refine their estimates of the Earth’s true shape and variations in its gravity field." The facility closed again in 1993.

In 1999, the land was transferred to the Fairfax County Park Authority with the intention of turning the former site into a public park and observatory. Between 2000 and 2002, all of the facility's former structures were torn down, with the exception of the two radar towers.

The southern radar tower was repurposed as an observatory when the facility was utilized by the Army Map Service, though in 2010, the massive dome was replaced with a newer and much stronger telescope. In 2016, a roll-top observatory building was constructed next to the southern radar tower, this building not only features a roll-top roof, but also a classroom area utilized by visiting schools.

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Military History Nuclear Parks Cold War Military

Know Before You Go

Known today as Turner Farm Park, the site can be accessed off of Springvale Road (just south of Georgetown Pike), with both radar towers clearly visible from the road.

The park also features a playground and gazebo area just west of its parking lot which are accessible to the public from dusk to dawn any day of the week. The roll-top observatory is open to the public on Friday evenings free-of-charge, with special viewings taking place during eclipses and meteor showers.

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Added By

exploringwithesch

Edited By

dominicbenford

  • dominicbenford

Published

April 15, 2020

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  • http://www.airfields-freeman.com/VA/Airfields_VA_Fairfax_W.htm#herndonifcs
  • https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/stargazers-corner/turner-farm-observatory/
Great Falls Nike Fire Control Site W-83
925 Springvale Rd
Great Falls, Virginia, 22066
United States
38.995466, -77.313484
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Nearby Places

Nike Missile Launch Site W-83

Herndon, Virginia

miles away

Colvin Run Mill and General Store

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miles away

Patowmack Canal

McLean, Virginia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Great Falls

Great Falls

Virginia

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Nearby Places

Nike Missile Launch Site W-83

Herndon, Virginia

miles away

Colvin Run Mill and General Store

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miles away

Patowmack Canal

McLean, Virginia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Great Falls

Great Falls

Virginia

Places 2

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