Rio Grande Historical Collections Photographs, 1885-1950s
Date
circa 1946
Decade
1940s
Subject (LCSH)
Towers
Military trucks
Buildings
Launch Complex 33 Historic Site (N.M.)
White Sands Proving Ground (N.M.)
Soldiers
Historical context
The White Sands Proving Ground (WSPG) was established in July 9, 1945 and renamed White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in 1958. The world's first atomic bomb was detonated at Trinity Site, at the north end of WSPG, July 16, 1945. The military range served as a principal location for testing rocket technology following World War II, including V-2 rockets brought from Germany at the end of the war. WSMR is known as the birthplace of missile and space activity in the United States. The images in the collection depict WSMR views, V-2 rocket tests, Trinity Site, the old mining site of Estey City (located on the range), and personnel affiliated with operations at WSPG during the mid-1940s. The photographs were donated by the WSMR Public Affairs Office
Provenance
White Sands Missile Range, Public Affairs Office
Extent
Size original: 8 x 10 in.
Notes
Trucks and vans by Army Blockhouse which was constructed in the summer of 1945
The blockhouse sits about six miles east of the White Sands main post and was the site of the first rocket launches at the proving ground
The walls are 10-feet thick
Construction began on July 10, 1945 and concluded three months later
A pyramid roof, 24 feet thick, will be added on top
Note on verso: "Vans and Trucks on west side of Army Blockhouse, LC-33"
Digital publisher
New Mexico State University Library
Source
NMSU Library Archives and Special Collections
Source collection name: White Sands Missile Range Photographs, 1905-1950s