Launch Complex 33
National Historic Landmark

Launch Complex 33

White Sands Missile Range, Dona Ana County, New Mexico
Listed
October 2, 1985
Type
Site
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
85003541

About this property

The White Sands V-2 Launching Site, also known as Launch Complex 33 and originally as Army Launch Area Number 1, is an historic rocket launch complex at White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. It was here that the United States first performed test launches of German V-2 rockets captured toward the end of World War II. These tests were the first step in both military advances in rocketry, and in the development of the United States space exploration programs. The site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985.

Location

White Sands Missile Range, Dona Ana County, New Mexico
32.40118, -106.37836

Categories

MILITARYEXPLORATION/SETTLEMENTSCIENCE
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 Launch Complex 33

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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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
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
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Timeline
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Nearby Historic Sites

Bentley, L.B., General Merchandise
Industrial
13 mi
Green Bridge
Industrial
21.2 mi
Chope's Town Cafe and Bar
Civil War
22.4 mi
Foster Hall
Industrial
23.4 mi
University President's House
Industrial
23.4 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Sacramento (New Mexico 1847)
1847Mexican-American War
5.8 mi

Questions about this property

When was Launch Complex 33 listed on the National Register?

Launch Complex 33 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 2, 1985.

What type of historic resource is Launch Complex 33?

Launch Complex 33 is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Launch Complex 33 a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Launch Complex 33 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 Launch Complex 33?

The period of significance for Launch Complex 33 is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Launch Complex 33?

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 Launch Complex 33 will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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