Cold War at Fort Hancock

Soldiers outside a Quonset hut with radar equipment, 1950s.

NPS PHOTO ARCHIVES

Fort Hancock goes nuclear

During the Cold War, the U.S. Army defended cities from air attack. At Fort Hancock and across the nation, this was accomplished first with anti-aircraft guns and then with Nike Missiles. These Surface-to-Air (SAM) missiles protected New York City from 1954-1974. Learn more about the Cold War soldiers and their families who lived at Fort Hancock.