A Determination of Eligibility for Area 55: Delta Operations Support Area, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Brevard County, Florida

Summary

Upon review of several documents pertaining to cultural resources at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) it was determined that an adequate assessment had not been conducted to determine if the launch complex and/or the facilities within were eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The Civil Engineering Squadron/Environmental and Natural Resources Division (CES/CEAN), 45th Space Wing ( 45 SW) conducted a survey in 2012 to determine if the complexes were eligible based upon their historic use. If needed, an architectural assessment will be conducted at a future date. The project was conducted in June 2012.

Area 55 has a direct Cold War relationship "from being part of the technological advance important to the base, or through a significant association with an event." It also has a premier level of importance because Area 55 is a property that has "major importance in identifying the base's role within the national Cold War context or has a major importance with respect to science, theories or ideas." Under the NRHP criteria Area 55 is eligible for listing under Criteria A and D. Within Area 55, several facilities are eligible individually under Criteria C. Area 55 is associated with military research and development of aids to navigation, radar, and national defense. It is associated with the manned and unmanned space program. In 1980, Area 55 became a support facility for the Delta II missile program, though a minor one. It served as a shipping and receiving and equipment cleaning for Delta II components. It served in this capacity until 2010 and has been abandoned in place ever since.

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Cape Canaveral Space Force Station CRM Manager

Record Identifiers

FMSF Survey #(s): 19642

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