National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Southeast Regional Office Atlanta, Georgia Cold War in South Florida Historic Resource Study Cultural Resources Southeast Region Cold War in South Florida Historic Resource Study October 2004 Written by Steve Hach Edited by Jennifer Dickey This historic resource study exists in two formats. A printed version is available for study at Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, the Southeast Regional Office of the National Park Service, and at a variety of other repositories. For more widespread access, this historic resource study also exists in a web- based format through the web site of the National Park Service. Please visit www.nps.gov for more information. Cultural Resources Division Southeast Regional Office National Park Service 100 Alabama Street, SW Atlanta, GA 30303 404-562-3117 Big Cypress National Preserve Biscayne National Park Dry Tortugas National Park Everglades National Park http://www.nps.gov About the cover: An artist's rendering shows a Nike Hercules aiming to take out a Russian fighter jet during a fictional Cold War encounter. Painted in 1966 by U.S. Army illustrator J. McKleroy, the original hangs at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Illustration provided by the U.S. Army (from the photo archives of Redstone Arsenal). Cold War in South Florida Historic Resource Study (2004) iv Cold War in South Florida Historic Resource Study Contents List of Figures . .vii Figure Credits . viii Foreword . ix Introduction . .1 Section One: Brief Overview of the Cold War and Related Activities in South Florida World War II, the Bomb, and the Origins of the Cold War . .3 Eisenhower, Latin America, and Cold War Precedents for South Florida History . .9 Building a Strategic Cold War Defense Infrastructure . .12 The Cuban Revolution: South Florida Becomes “Ground Zero” in the Cold War . .13 Counterinsurgency Technology and Florida’s Role as an Open Air Research Lab . .26 The End of the Secret War and the Legacy of Covert Activity in South Florida . .27 Détente and a Reduction in Cold War Tensions . .28 Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the Cuban Exile-Contra Connection. .29 The End of the Cold War and the Legacy of the Battle . .30 Section Two: South Florida Cold War Historic Resource List Cold War Resources Located Within South Florida National Parks. .33 Big Cypress National Preserve (Big Cypress NP). .33 Dade Collier Training Airport. .34 CIA Arms Cache . .35 Biscayne National Park (Biscayne NP). .35 Elliott Key. .35 Dry Tortugas National Park (Dry Tortugas NP) . .36 East Key . .37 Garden Key . .37 Hospital Key. .37 Loggerhead Key . .37 Other Possible Dry Tortugas NP Resources . .38 Everglades National Park (Everglades NP) . .39 Broad River . .39 Cape Sable . .39 Clive Key/Man of War Key/Sandy Key . .41 East Everglades . .41 Flamingo . .42 Florida Bay . .42 Ground Observer Corps Activities . .43 Hole In the Donut . .44 Long Pine Key . .45 Palma Vista Hammock. .45 Parachute Key Visitor Center . .46 Pine Island . .46 Pine Island Utility Area . .47 Royal Palm Visitor Center . .47 Seven Mile Road . .47 National Park Service v Seven Mile Tower . 48 Sisal Hammock. 48 U.S. Department of State Activities . 48 Other possible Everglades NP resources. 49 Cold War Resources Located Near South Florida National Parks . 49 Other Cold War-Related Resources in South Florida . 50 Aerojet General Solid Rocket Booster Facility . 50 Big Pine Key . ..