National Historic Landmark

Space Launch Complex 10

Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California
Listed
June 22, 1986
Type
Structure
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
86003511

About this property

Space Launch Complex 10 (SLC-10), or Missile Launch Complex 10, is located on Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc, California. It was built in 1958 to test ballistic missiles and developed into a space launching facility in 1963. Prior to 1966, Space Launch Complex 10W (SLC-10W) was known as Vandenberg AFB Pad 75–2–6. It remains a rare pristine look at the electronics and facilities created in that era that helped the United States grow its space capabilities. The last launch from this complex was a Thor booster in 1980. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986. It is undergoing an eight-year restoration, and public visits are possible, if arranged in advance.

Location

Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California
34.76579, -120.62382

Categories

ENGINEERINGTRANSPORTATIONEXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Everything a full report reveals about Space Launch Complex 10

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Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
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Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Nearby Historic Sites

La Purísima Mission
Colonial
12.8 mi
Lompoc Public Library
Industrial
13 mi
Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building
Listed
13.2 mi
Mission de la Purisima Concepcion de Maria Santisima Site
Colonial
13.2 mi
Los Alamos Ranch House
Industrial
16.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Space Launch Complex 10 listed on the National Register?

Space Launch Complex 10 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 22, 1986.

What type of historic resource is Space Launch Complex 10?

Space Launch Complex 10 is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Space Launch Complex 10 a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Space Launch Complex 10 has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Space Launch Complex 10?

The period of significance for Space Launch Complex 10 is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Space Launch Complex 10?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Space Launch Complex 10 will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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