After entering Badlands NP though the southern via the White River Visitor Center and stopping over at the Pine Ridge Reservation we made out exit through the northeastern entrance located just off I-90. Near the off/on ramp (Exit 131) of I-90 you will find a trailer near the gas station that is the temporary visitor center for Minuteman Missile NHS. This is part of a three part section of this historic site.
This site is part of the cold war history of the United States. At the visitor center you can watch a movie about the cold war and the Minuteman Missile system that protected the United States during the cold war. It is also here that you must obtain a timed ticket to the underground complex (part 2 of 3 parts) you can tour. If you want to visit the complex you need to call ahead to ensure that this complex will be open for tours, reservations are highly recommended by calling 605-433-5552.
We did not make reservations, but we were in luck as it was open house day and all the volunteers were in place to give the tour. And as luck would have it, the one volunteer who gave us the tour of the underground facility that house the actual men and women who armed and launched the missiles was on hand to give that tour. He was retired from the United States Air Force and gives his time to interpret the site as it was back in his day.
I have to say having someone give a tour that literally hand his hand on the launch key was something that I ( a former Navy man who worked on and maintained these type of weapons for 16 years) was a thrill for me.
That being said, our first stop was the D-1 Quinn Cottonwood complex, the actual complex that housed the men and women as they spent their tour of watch. I fail to recall how long each these folks stood the watch, but all their needs were met by a living quarters, a dinning hall, kitchen and recreation room to fill those times they were not on actual watch in the missile room where the missile were launched from.
After taking a tour of the said above areas, one takes an elevator down to the site where the two persons are on watch who receive the launch orders, verify those orders, retrieve the keys to launch and launch if required said missiles. The complex was built to withstand a direct hit from a nuclear attack those in the know, know that even if they did survive would it be worth it.
Having said that, the former Minuteman proceeded to give us the dollar tour. Those on watch in this area stayed on watch for 24 hours, the routine would be eat, sleep and perform routine electronic maintenance of the missile systems and drills. All in all a very thrilling tour.
After this portion of the tour has been completed you can take a ride to the D-9 section of the complex, the actual site where the missile is. Here you get the chance to see and replica missile in the silo, the blast doors to the silo are open and you can look down into the silo. All pretty cool stuff. Sandee and my mother in law were very impressed with the site as well.
So if you are making your way to that famous tourist town of Wall, SD do make a stop here, it is well worth the time and effort.
D-1 Quinn Cottonwood Complex above ground
The blast door that guards the missile room where those on watch launch the missiles. The wording on the door states "World Wide Delivery in 30 minutes or less or the next one is free" A play on Domino's Pizza old slogan.
More art work
The walk way to the launch room
One of two stations where those on watch launch the missile. Both stations are far enough apart that no one person can turn both keys at the same time and if the keys are not turned at the same time the launch will NOT happen. Part of the two person concept ( it will always take two to launch one)
Our volunteer Minuteman, now retired.
D-1 missile site, where the missile launched from
Part of a two part blast door that opened to launch the missile.
Replica Missile in the silo
They only use them and they would only use them on you... the m asses.
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