The Cold War 1947-1972

After World War II, it became apparent that the United States faced another threat involving the expansion of the Soviet Union. In response, the U.S. began a system to defend against attack that involved a ring of large anti-aircraft guns designed to protect the Nation’s Capital. Two were located in Franconia, and a third nearby in Lorton.

Each of the sites included four 90-millimeter guns. One was part of today’s Huntley Meadows Park near the intersection of Telegraph Road and North Kings Highway. The other was located where Key Middle School stands today. The sites were manned by regular army personnel from Fort Belvoir from 1950 until 1954.  

The Virginia National Guard took over the operation of the guns in 1954, and maintained them until 1964.  The anti-aircraft guns were then replaced by Nike missile sites in Lorton and on Popes Head Road in Fairfax, near its current intersection with the Fairfax County Parkway. For a short time, there were Nikes at the Key site.  Today’s deterrent missiles are in silos in the upper northwest area of the United States.

The National Guard contingent at each of the three sites numbered 40 technicians,  with 80 guardsmen for protection. Each site also included machine gun emplacement as well as the big guns. The Virginia National Guard contingent was headed by Captain James Young, who grew up on Beulah Street. He retired as a colonel and continued to live in Franconia until his death in 2017.

Much of the memorabilia from Jim Young’s military career is housed at the Franconia Museum. Included is a shell casing from one of the 90-milimeter guns that were used at the Huntley Meadows and Key sites.

Before he passed away, Jim Young wrote an informative article about growing up in Franconia, and the operation of the anti-aircraft and Nike missile sites.  It is included in Volume VIII of Franconia Remembers, which is on sale for only $10.00 at the Franconia Museum, 6121 Franconia Road.  The Museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  You can also order online at franconiamuseum.org.  Click on e-store.  There is an extra $5 charge for mailing

Although the Cold War waned in the early 1970s, recent incidents remind us of the tenuous thread between war and peace.  The Cold War is a reminder of how scary the threat of war really is.

FRANCONIA REMEMBERS
This is one of the Franconia Museum’s occasional articles highlighting the area’s history.  If you would no longer like to receive these FREE articles, contact us at franconia.museum.newsletter@gmail.com.  Memberships are also encouraged, so that we can continue our work.  The Museum is located in the Franconia Government Center, currently located at 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22310.  The hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, as approved by the Internal Revenue Service.

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