Nike Missile Site HM-69
Nike Missile Site HM-69 is a Cold War military installation located within Everglades National Park in Miami-Dade County. The site contains three large missile barns with sliding doors, a missile assembly building, soldier barracks, command structures, and radar towers, with a restored Nike-Hercules missile now displayed inside one of the shelters.
The site was built in 1964-1965 immediately following the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, when the United States urgently established air defense systems across South Florida. It remained operational until 1979, becoming the last Nike installation on the mainland United States before the system was phased out in favor of newer defense technology.
The name Nike comes from the Greek goddess of victory, symbolizing defense readiness. The HM-69 designation refers to Homestead Miami and reflects the site's role in the broader regional defense strategy of South Florida during Cold War tensions.
The site can be visited with guided tours during winter months from December through March, as other seasons present challenges from insects and weather conditions. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring insect repellent, as the terrain is flat but wet and located within a national park with active wildlife.
An old Volkswagen car was discovered buried in an underground burrow near the site after it closed, with its history remaining a mystery to this day. Photographs of this buried vehicle are displayed at the site today, representing a puzzling anecdote from that era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
