Nike Missile Site W-92

Nike Missile Site W-92 is a fascinating relic of the Cold War, located at 770 Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This site, one of a dozen that surrounded the Capital Region, was active from 1955 to 1974 as a defense against Soviet bombers. The station features three missile silos, a missile assembly building, and other structures typical of a Nike battery.

Despite its historical significance, the site is now abandoned and hidden behind a chainlink fence in a suburban area. The nearby National Institute of Standards and Technology now owns the property, using it for data collection equipment storage. The site remains largely unchanged, with the missile elevator still in working condition.

Surrounded by modern development, the W-92 battery is a forgotten piece of history for many residents in the area. The Army Corps of Engineers has cleaned up hazardous waste left behind from the missile operations, and the site was recently sold to a private development corporation in May 2020.

Visitors are encouraged to admire the site from behind the fence, as it is marked as U.S. property with no trespassing allowed. To learn more about this intriguing piece of Cold War history, consider becoming a member of Atlas Obscura, the guide to the world's hidden wonders.