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All the United States California Chatsworth LA-88 Nike Missile Site

LA-88 Nike Missile Site

Abandoned anti-ballistic missile base.

Chatsworth, California

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Atlas Obs
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This is the right side of the complex. From here you can see one of the few remaining structures and for some reason a city bus.  
This is the right side of the complex. From here you can see one of the few remaining structures and for some reason a city bus.  
Radio Center and Barracks, recent times.  
Integrated Fire Control area - LA-88 (Chatsworth, CA, 1969)   http://ed-thelen.org/LA88-IFC-dec-26-1969-...
In addition to the base, there is a lot of abandoned equipment including this fork lift.  
This is the remains of a military dog kennel. It’s on the left portion of the complex, down a side path.  
Bus, Circa 2020   mxhurley01 / Atlas Obscura User
Circa 2020   mxhurley01 / Atlas Obscura User
  pcomey / Atlas Obscura User
Second Bus 2021   childofthegreenwood / Atlas Obscura User
Machine Shop 2021   childofthegreenwood / Atlas Obscura User
Outside Doors 2021   childofthegreenwood / Atlas Obscura User
circa 2015   Avoiding Regret
Missile assembly building, circa 2015   Avoiding Regret
circa 2015   Avoiding Regret
Launch Area, circa 2015   Avoiding Regret
circa 2015   Avoiding Regret
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About

LA-88 was one of the sixteen Nike missile sites located around LA to protect the civilian population and military industrial sites from Soviet attack and was in operation from 1957-1974. In order to protect this vital arsenal, the Los Angeles area air defense system became the first in the nation to use Army sentry dogs to protect missile sites. In November 1958, four sentry dogs and their handlers began patrolling the Chatsworth missile launch site.

It is now owned by the CA Civilian Conservation Corps. Although long removed from its original purpose, much remains intact and can be seen from the road. Many buildings are still standing, and one of the covers of the missile silo is opened.

The place is gated off, but is said to be popular with urban explorers.

UPDATE AS OF 7/16/2012: The structure shown in the picture is still there, but hollowed out. Much of the place was heavily damaged by a massive wildfire back in 2008. There's now a few buses there (all badly damaged and with bullet holes!) and you can find shells on the ground. After some research, it seems to be a training ground for the SWAT team. Plus, there's a military dog kennel.

Obscura Day location: April 9, 2011.

Related Tags

Abandoned Military History Architectural Oddities Ruins Obscura Day Locations Architecture Military

Know Before You Go

Drive north on Desoto ave under the 118 freeway in Chatsworth, follow winding road after Desoto seems to deadend. drive until locked gate blocks road. must pay 5 bucks for parking in box at regional park. continue walking 15 mins up the winding road. you cant miss it. Please review directions with google maps. THE ACTUAL SITE IS NOT PUBLIC PROPERTY! But it can be easily seem from the road. And watch for rattlesnakes.

Community Contributors

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Atlas Obs

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Avoiding Regret, kurtbraunohler, pcomey, Facebook850640233...

  • Avoiding Regret
  • kurtbraunohler
  • pcomey
  • Facebook850640233
  • mxhurley01
  • childofthegreenwood

Published

April 5, 2011

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Nike
  • http://www.laalmanac.com/history/hi08.htm
LA-88 Nike Missile Site
15998 Browns Canyon Rd
Chatsworth, California, 91311
United States
34.309739, -118.608181
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