NEXT MEETING

THURSDAY,

MAY 18TH

San Ramon’s 150 Year C

elebration!

Need a Ride To The Society Meeting On May 18th? Contact Bill Lloyd

Visit - SRVHistoricalSociety.org

History of Nike Missile Installations in the Bay Areawas the Subject of the March 16 th Meeting

The Black Bear Dinner located adjacent to the Best Western Motel in Danville at I-680 and Camino Ramon (Use the Sycamore Valley Road 680 exit). The cost of the dinner is $23.00. Dessert is extra on your tab.

Please make your reservation and share a great evening with us! Over 46 Years Looking Back!

San Ramon’s 150 Year Celebration Will Be Discussed at the May 18th Dinner Meeting

San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson will present the program. The San Ramon Valley Historical Society will meet in the party room of the Black Bear Diner. We will gather at 6:30 pm, begin our buffet dinner at 7 pm, and then enjoy our speaker!

San Ramon Valley Historical SocietyPage 8

M a y 2 0 1 7SAN RAMON VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

P.O. BOX 521 · DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA 94526SAN RAMON VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

May 2017

SGM Daniel M. Sebby, CSMR, Curator, State Military Museums, State of California presented a history of some of the Bay Area defense installations, including the Bollinger Canyon site. Dan spoke of the two eras of the military fortification of the Bay Area as The Gun Era and The Missile Era. The Gun Era ran from 1950 to 1958. It was an upgraded WWII air defense system consisting of M1 and M2 90mm Antiaircraft Guns and M1 120mm Antiaircraft Guns. These guns were located on public lands, such as Candlestick Park, as well as Army bases, such as Fort Barry in the Marin headlands. The guns were normally deployed in groups of three, arranged in a triangle. They were operated by Regular Army and California Army National Guard personnel. Part time National Guardsmen had M1 40mm Guns and old “Quad 50”s on a halftrack. The Missile Era ran from 1955 to 1974, ending with the SALT agreement. There were two basic missile systems: the Nike Ajax and the Nike Hercules. They were located on public land and Army property. They were operated by the Regular Army and the California Army National Guard, and were integrated into the US Air Force Air Defense Radar System. The Air Defense system was later (continued on page 2)

The 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno picked them up and escorted them down to the 163rd at Ontario, who took them on to Mexico. When the bomber was near San Francisco, local standard procedure was followed. At 2 a.m. the staff went on alert. In the warm underground facility a Nike Missile was put on a launcher, and the launcher was put into launch position - just in case. The crews performed their duties. All was set to go. The button to drop the warm steel magazine doors was pushed. It rained sheep! All of a sudden twenty sheep were crawling over the missiles. The Battery Commander had to call the Air Defense Command Center at Mill Valley Air Force Station and say that he was out of service and could not launch a missile. He had to explain to a One Star General how sheep had shut down the battery!

Jerry Warren and Dan Sebby

History of Nike Missile Installations in the Bay Area (Concluded)

The Sales Table ̶ ~~ Nancy Ramsey

Packets of cards depicting Mount Diablo, Front Street, Southern Pacific Depot, Tassajara School, “Grand Dames”

of San Ramon, Alamo Grammar School 1876, and a collection of assorted historical scenes are available.

Each packet contains 8 cards and 8 envelopes.

Member Price - $3.50 per 8 card packetHistoric scene postcards are $0.20 each

Dinner Reservat ions

$23.00 per person

MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO S.R.V.H.S. (Deadline May 16, 2017)Mail to: S.R.V.H.S., P. O. Box 521, Danville, CA 94526

NAMES: ______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Black Bear Dinner 807 Camino Ramon, in Danville(at I-680 and Camino San Ramon in Danville)

T h u r s d a yM a y 1 8 , 7 p . m .

Do stop by the Sales Table

www.SRVHistoricalSociety.org

Member’s Memorial GiftNAMES HONORED BY MEMORIAL AND COMMEMORATIVE GIFTS, AND NAMES OF DONORS, ARE

ENTERED IN A BOOK OF MEMORY AND WILL BE PLACED IN OUR MUSEUM. For tax purposes, we area non-profit organization. You may make your donation to the society or to the Museum - Please check box below.

Make check to: San Ramon Valley Historical Society Memorial Fund. Please ✓ for: ☐ SRVHS ☐ MSRVMail to: SAN RAMON VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY P. O. Box 521, Danville, CA 94526This contribution ☐ REMEMBERS ☐ HONORS ☐ EXPRESSES APPRECIATION ☐ OTHER

NAME ____________________________________________________________________

DONOR Name(s) ____________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________

PLEASE NOTIFY Name _____________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________

History of Nike Missile Installations in the Bay Area (Continued)

San Ramon Valley Historical SocietyPage 2 San Ramon Valley Historical SocietyMay 2017

Founded 1970P.O. Box 521, Danville, CA 94526

OFFICERS Jerry Warren President Dall Barley Vice President Ginny Fereira Secretary Frances Lloyd Treasurer

DIRECTORSLee HalversenSteve Larmore

Bill LloydJean Mello

Karen Stepper

SAN RAMON VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

May 2017 Page 7

expanded to include the Travis Defense Area (Travis Air Force Base). The Nike-Ajax warheads had high explosives. (Bollinger Canyon was a Nike-Ajax site.) The Nike-Hercules had high explosive or nuclear warheads. One site remains intact and preserved. It is SF-88 maintained by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, National Park Service, in the Fort Barry Area. Housed here are Nike-Hercules Missiles, without propellant and warheads! The low power and high power radar systems are in working order. Administrative site locations were stationed throughout the Bay Area. Berkeley was a California Air National Guard Battalion Headquarters from 1958-1959. Fort Barry was a Battalion Headquarters from 1958-1961. The San Francisco Mission Street Armory (14th and Mission) was headquarters for the 114th Anti Aircraft Artillery Brigade (Californian Army National Guard). Travis Air Force Base had an Army Air defense Command Post from 1957-1958. SF-77, at the Presidio of San Francisco, was an administrative headquarters. SF-78, at the Presidio, was a California Army National Guard Battalion headquarters from 1951-1974. SF-81, at Fort Baker, had the 6th Army Air Defense Command Region Headquarters, which covered all of the missile sites west of the Rocky Mountains. SF-90DC was the Army Air Defense Command Post at Mill Valley atop Mount Tamalpais. There were temporary sites at the Presidio, the Benicia Arsenal, and Camp Parks. Permanent missile sites are listed below. The emboldened sites were initially Nike Ajax, and became Nike Hercules sites. The last four sites were for the defense of Travis Air Force Base.

SF-08 (San Pablo Ridge), 1956-1963, CA ARNG. SF-09 (San Pablo Ridge), 1956-1963. SF-25 (Bollinger Canyon), 1956-1959. SF-31 (Lake Chabot), 1955-1974 CA, ARNG.. SF-37 (Coyote Hills), 1955-63, CA ARNG.. SF-51 (Milagra Ridge), 1956-1974, CA ARNG. SF-59 (Fort Funston), 1956-1963, CA ARNG. SF-87 (Fort Cronkhite), 1955-1971. SF-88 (Fort Barry), 1955-1974. SF-89 (Presidio SF), 1954-1963, CA ARNG. SF-91 (Angel Island), 1959-1961. SF-93 (San Rafael), 1956-1971. T-10 (Elmira), 1957-1974. T-33 (Dixon), 1957-1959/ T-53 (Portrero Hills), 1957-1959. T-86 (Fairfield)

During this era, a Commanding General’s Trophy was awarded to the best firing battery of any air defense missile unit in the world. The trophy was awarded fifteen times. Thirteen times it was awarded to a California Army National Guard (CA ARNG) unit! The regular army won it only once. National Guardsmen didn’t transfer every eighteen months and worked as a unit. There were CA ARNG personnel who had done the job for ten years. Nike sites were similar. There was a choice of barrack’s type A or type B. An exception was Angel Island. The 1910 hospital was the barracks for the Nike crew. Their radar was atop the island’s Mount Livermore. The Administrative Area was adjacent to the Launcher Area. (continued on page 3)

M u s e u m N e w s

April 15 to June 11: San Ramon Celebrates 150 Years!

Portraits of San Ramon pioneers and pictures and stories of San Ramon village from the 1860s to the 1960s are featured. Early large houses of San Ramon, “the Grand Dames,” are represented. Exhibits tell of the growth of agriculture, transportation, and the new city, which was incorporated in April 1983. A special “Then and Now” photo panel was created. Museum members Pat Boom, Ginny Fereira, Beverly Lane, Roxie Lindsay, and Carol Rowley are members of the San Ramon Historic Task Force for this exhibit.

April 17 to June 6: “School Bell: Education and Democracy in America” from the Herb Block Foundation reflects his belief that a strong democracy is dependent upon an informed electorate. He believed that a strong education gives people the opportunity to reach their highest potential, become leaders, and live as productive members of society. Herb Block (1909-2001) was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist who used the pen name Herblock. He worked at the Chicago Daily News, the Newspaper Enterprise Association. Following two years in the army he was chief editorial cartoonist for the Washington Post, a job he held for 55 years until his death. “School Bell” is a collection of panels and is shown in the Museum’s waiting room.

January 12 - June: The Tassajara Grammar School Program. Volunteer teachers and superintendents are needed. Please call the Museum office and volunteer.

SRVS Yearbooks: The Museum of the San Ramon Valley would like to complete its collection of San Ramon Valley School Yearbooks. Consider donating yours!

Town of Danville Tours: To schedule a tour, please call Eve/Donna at the museum at (925) 837-3750.

General: When the Museum is open, a trained docent is always on duty and can provide exhibit tours for visitors. Reserved tours are available during open or closed hours by appointment. Large groups are encouraged to call ahead to assure that a docent is available specifically for your group.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located on the southwest corner of Prospect & Railroad Avenues, and accessible via the Iron Horse Trail [P.O. Box 39, Danville, CA, 94526, (925) 837-3750]

Hours: 1-4 pm Tuesday-Friday, 10 am-1 pm Saturday, 12-3 pm Sunday.

San Ramon Valley Historical SocietyPage 6 San Ramon Valley Historical Society Page 3

History of Nike Missile Installations in the Bay Area (Continued)

May 2017 May 2017

In MemoriamPeter Camacho, Jr.

November 30, 1953 ~ - February 19, 2017Resident of Livermore

Pete was born Walnut Creek to Pete Camacho and Winkie Haultain Camacho. He and his brothers grew up in Danville; parents and sons all graduated from San Ramon High School. He was an avid hunter, long time Harley rider and marched with the Clampers in the Danville 4th of July parades. He followed in his father's footsteps and fulfilled 25 years of great service with the San Ramon Valley Fire District. He is preceded in death by his father Pete Camacho, Sr. and his brother David Camacho. He is survived by his loving daughters, April of Charleston, SC and Kaitlyn of Sacramento, his mother Winkie Camacho of San Ramon, brother John (Suzanne) of Durango, CO; brother Steve of Seattle, WA. He is also survived by the mother of his children Mary Nelson, and his neighbor and good friend Choon. He is also survived by his many cousins, who loved him dearly. Pete's life was filled with too many illnesses, but he stayed strong throughout his short life. He supported and mentored many. He was generous with his time and efforts. We all loved him and he will be missed by family, many friends and current and retired firefighters. A memorial was held on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the Veteran's Memorial Building in Danville. In lieu of flowers donations to the San Ramon High School Alumnae Assoc. c/o KarinRaitz (925) 743-1973 or kraitz@pacbell.net. Published East Bay Times February 24, 2017

Ninety percent of the Nike sites were organized into three areas. They were coded by the site area and their function. The administrative area, SF-25A, had the battery headquarters (Orderly Room and Medical Section), barracks, mess hall, and Day room, as well as athletic facilities, Motor Maintenance Section, recreation area, and a waste water and sewer system. The launcher area, SF-25L, adjacent to the Administrative area, had a Missile Assembly/Maintenance Building. There were three underground magazines with elevators to transfer rails and launchers. Missile assembly and fueling was done here. The integrated Fire Control Area (SF-25C) was located approximately one mile from the launchers. Here were housed the Radar systems, including Low Power Acquisition (LOPAR), Target tracking (TTR), and Missile Tracking (MTR). Some sites were later equipped with High Power Acquisition Radar (HIPAR). The Missile Tracking system was designed to be mobile. The two trailers, the Battery Command Trailer and the Missile Tracking Trailer, were connected by a permanent connector (concrete building). In theory, it was a mobile system. The 25 acre Bollinger Canyon Site (SF-25) was one of the few missile sites that had family housing, one year before it closed. The Wherry-type housing (1950‘s flat roof, car port) (continued on page 4)

History of Nike Missile Installations in the Bay Area (Continued)

Ridge, two sites next to each other. One was an Army site and the other was a National Guard Site. One battery was oriented west and the other was oriented north, in the Berkeley Hills. The Army had a budget for landscaping. The soldiers mowed the lawns and trimmed the shrubbery. The National Guard did not have a budget for landscaping. The battery was manned by about 150 people. The battery Commander had an idea for a sheep farm. Sheep were purchased to graze on the National Guard Site. Neither of these sites were 24-7 on alert. They would rotate that duty. One cold night when the National Guard was on duty, the Russians decided to fly a bomber down the West Coast. First, the Washington National Guard picked them up and escorted them down to Oregon where the Oregon National Guard escorted them down to California. (continued on page 8)

History of Nike Missile Installations in the Bay Area (Continued) History of Nike Missile Installations in the Bay Area (Continued)

San Ramon Valley Historical SocietyPage 4 San Ramon Valley Historical Society Page 5 May 2017 May 2017

consisted of four single family units and four duplexes. Twelve families could live on post. All of the missiles were kept on rails in warmed underground storage areas. A missile would be slid onto a rail and elevated up, slid onto a launcher, placed in a launch position, and then could be fired. Each magazine held about eight missiles. There were about 24 Nike Hercules missiles and about 30 Nike Ajax missiles at a site. A Nike missile left the launch pad rail at the speed of sound. The radar tracking system had to be located a mile away just so the radar dish could keep up with the missile.

Prior to the Department of the Army use, the Bollinger Canyon Site was undeveloped ranchland and watershed for the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). The Mueller family and EBMUD were the primary sources of land for this facility. In 1954, the Department of the Army entered into an unspecified relationship with EBMUD for a parcel of land that became the Integrated Fire Control site for SF-25. Between June 13 and July 19, 1955, the Department of the Army purchased parcels of land from Kurt and Katherine Mueller, and Paul and Ella Muller. These parcels were used as the Launcher Facilities and Administrative Areas. In 1956, the Site was activated and

garrisoned by Battery B. 441st Antiaircraft Artillery Missile Battalion of the U. S. Army. On July 5, 1957, additional property was purchased from Hugo and Helen Mueller, Kurt and Katherine Mueller, and Paul and Ella Muller for expansion for the Administration Area and the Family Housing Area. On May 2, 1958, additional property for SF-25A was purchased from Hugo and Helen Mueller, and Kurt and Katherine Mueller. The Family housing area was established to the southeast of the Administrative Area. In August, 1958, the U. S. Army implemented the Combat Arms Regimental System, and the garrisoning unit was re-designated Battery B, 4th Missile Battalion, 67th Artillery Regiment. In July, 1959, SF-25 was deactivated and the garrisoning unit was inactivated. On February 5, 1962, former SF-25C was transferred to the U. S. Air Force for use by the 234th Combat Communications Squadron of the CA ANG. The site was re-designated as Mount Martell ANG Radio Relay Site. On July 19, 1963, the remainder of the Site was reported as excess to the needs of the U. S. Army to the GSA. On August 7, 1963, the Department of the Army granted a permit to the Atomic Energy Commission for one year to use the Launcher Area and buildings. (continued on page 5)

M1 120mm Gun at Battery Mendell, Fort Barry circa 1950.California Military Department Historical Collection.

From July 1, 1964 to present, GSA, acting on behalf of the Department of the Army, quitclaimed the former SF-25L to MB Associates. This was the first of several owners who developed the Site into a manufacturing site for explosive bolts and similar products for the aerospace and defense industries until 2000. From October 1, 1964 to Present, GSA, acting on behalf of the Department of the Army, quitclaimed major portions of former SF-25A to Kurt and Katherine Mueller, and Clinton D. and Eleonore A. Moser. These lands are currently under the ownership of EBMUD and the Schmidt Revocable Trust. On June 23, 1965, GSA, under a Department of Health, Education, and Welfare program, quitclaimed the family housing area to the County of Contra Costa. From 1966 to Present, the U. S. Air Force terminated the lease for Mount Martell ANG Radio Relay Site with EBMUD. The ANG continued to use the site, under license to place radio relay equipment on existing EBMUD structures and access for parking until 1984. On December 18, 1973, Contra Costa County grant deeded the former Family Housing Area and a portion of the Administrative Area back to the United States of America. On November 9, 1978, GSA quitclaimed the former Housing Area and a portion of the Administrative Area to the State of California, Division of Forestry (now the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection). From February 21, 1980 to Present, GSA quitclaimed a portion for the Administrative Area to Eleonore A. and James L. Hessler. This was grant deeded later to the current owners, Daniel L Johnson and Deborah T. Nich-Johnson, and Birl J. and Beatrice Walker. During the question period, an audience member asked about the missile site near Orinda because her husband was stationed there. That site was SF-08 and SF-09, San Pablo (continued on page 6)