Important Announcement

We would like to thank our loyal fellow members of the Nike Historical Society for your continued support over the years. We will be closing the Society, including the store, as of March 31, 2024. We have acquired a large repository of Nike technical information. The web site will continue to be available. It has been our pleasure to keep the legacy of the Nike missile's contribution of the successful conclusion to the Cold War.

the Board of Directors
Nike Historical Society

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Important Announcement

Site SF-88 San Francisco Area

The SF-88 Nike Missile Site is the most fully restored Nike missile site in the country. During the tense years of the Cold War, from 1953 to 1979, the United States Army built and operated close to 300 Nike missile sites in the United States. These sites were designed to be the last line of defense against H-Bomb carrying Soviet bombers that had eluded the Air Force’s interceptor jet aircrafts. SF-88 in the Marin Headlands was one such site. Today, Golden Gate National Recreation Area works together with a dedicated group of volunteers to preserve the site as it was during operations to remind visitors of the physical and psychological effects of the Cold War on the American landscape.

The only restrooms available at the Nike site are portable potties. However, about a mile down the road below the Nike Missile Site is a museum (previously a chapel) with bathrooms and running water. It is recommended to stop and use these facilities before proceeding to the Nike site.
For more information go to http://www.nps.gov/goga/, call (415) 331-1540, or email GOGA_MarinHeadlands_Info@nps.gov
The Nike missile site is closed during inclement weather.

Guard shack and missile in launch position. — Hercules missile raised to launching position in 2016

Launcher area SF-88L

The Launcher Area provided for the maintenance, storage, testing, and firing of the missiles. To aid in explaining the operation of the Nike system, some IFC equipment is currently being displayed at the Launcher area.

Integrated Fire Control area SF-88C

The IFC contained the radar and computer equipment. This equipment, in tight integration with the soldiers operating it, acquired and tracked the range, azimuth, and elevation of targets, guided missiles to targets, and commanded the burst of the missiles. SF-88C is not easily accessible.

National Park Service personnel at Nike site SF-88L

The National Park Service turned 100 on August 25, 2016, and they're celebrating all year long! The centennial kicks off a second century of stewardship of America's national parks and engaging communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs.

holes dug for dog yard obstacle course — Sept. 7, 2019 Post holes dug using an auger. The earth at SF-88 is hard.

Concrete in the holes is holding the posts — Sept. 26, 2019 Holes filled with concrete to hold the posts.

Structure support poles for dog yard obstacle course — Oct. 19, 2019 Building obstacles.

rusted rail, site SF-88L section B — 2016. It takes a lot of work to keep site SF-88L looking good. The Pacific ocean brings a lot of fog and salt to the site. This photo shows a portion of section B rail. Section A is open to the public and looks much better.

Section A rail, site SF-88L — 2016. Launcher section A, open to the public, is better maintained then section B, which is closed to the public. When not on display, missiles are kept in the pit, and so are out of the fog and salt.

Maintenance and Restoration of Site SF-88

Al Kellogg, president of the Nike Historical Society, is reconstructing the dog yard obstacles. The Nike Historical Society has paid for material. As of the middle of February, 2020, Al says the project is 95% completed. Painting is done. There remains some caulking to be done and application of anti-skid material, which is necessary because the paint is so slick that dogs could too easily slip on it.

Important Announcement

Important Announcement

Site SF-88 San Francisco Area

Visiting the Nike site

Launcher area SF-88L

Integrated Fire Control area SF-88C

National Park Service personnel at Nike site SF-88L

Maintenance and Restoration of Site SF-88