Kentucky is known for many things, such as bourbon, bluegrass, and horse racing. But did you know that it also has a secret nuclear facility that is now a ghost town of tunnels?
The facility, located in Clarksville, was once a part of the U.S. nuclear weapons program during the Cold War. It was one of the 13 nuclear weapons storage facilities in the country, and at one time, it held about a third of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. It was also a target for the Soviet Union, which ranked it as high as No. 3 on its list of sites to destroy in case of a nuclear war.
The History of Clarksville Base
Clarksville Base was established in 1948 as a joint operation between the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP). It was built on a former Army base that was used as a prisoner of war camp during World War II.
The base was divided into two areas: the “Q” area, where the nuclear weapons were stored and assembled, and the “A” area, where the administrative and support facilities were located. The “Q” area was surrounded by a double fence, guarded by armed personnel, and protected by various security measures, such as alarms, cameras, and dogs. The “A” area was less secure, but still restricted to authorized personnel.
The base employed both civilian and military workers, who had to follow strict rules and procedures to handle the nuclear weapons. They also had to maintain a high level of secrecy, as the existence and location of the base were classified. The workers lived in nearby towns, such as Clarksville and Hopkinsville, and commuted to the base daily.
The base operated for 20 years, from 1948 to 1968, and during that time, it stored and assembled various types of nuclear weapons, such as bombs, warheads, and missiles. Some of the weapons were transported to other sites for deployment, while others were kept in reserve. The base also conducted inspections, maintenance, and testing of the weapons.
The Closure and Abandonment of Clarksville Base
In the late 1960s, the U.S. government decided to consolidate and reduce its nuclear weapons stockpile, as a result of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. Clarksville Base was one of the sites that was selected for closure, as it was deemed obsolete and redundant.
The base was officially deactivated in 1968, and the nuclear weapons were removed and transferred to other locations. The base was then turned over to the Army, which used it for various purposes, such as training, storage, and disposal. The Army also demolished some of the buildings and structures, and filled in some of the tunnels and bunkers.
However, the Army did not completely destroy or remove all the traces of the base’s nuclear past. Many of the facilities and features of the base were left intact, such as the fences, gates, signs, roads, and bridges. Some of the tunnels and bunkers were also left open, allowing access to the underground network that once housed the nuclear weapons.
The Exploration and Preservation of Clarksville Base
Over the years, the abandoned base became a source of curiosity and fascination for many people, especially those interested in history, military, and paranormal. Some of them ventured into the base, either legally or illegally, to explore and document the remains of the nuclear facility. They found various artifacts and relics, such as documents, equipment, tools, and signs, that revealed the base’s secrets and stories.
Some of the explorers also reported encountering strange and eerie phenomena, such as noises, voices, lights, and shadows, that suggested the presence of ghosts or spirits. Some of them believed that the base was haunted by the souls of the workers who died or suffered there, or by the victims of the nuclear weapons that were made there.
The base also attracted the attention of historians and preservationists, who recognized its historical and cultural significance. They advocated for the protection and conservation of the base, as it was one of the few remaining sites of its kind in the country. They also sought to educate and inform the public about the base’s history and role in the Cold War.
In 2014, the Fort Campbell’s Don Pratt Museum, which is dedicated to the history of the 101st Airborne Division, created an exhibit and a website about Clarksville Base, with the help of former workers and explorers. The museum also offered self-guided tours of the base, allowing visitors to see and learn about the nuclear facility.
The Future of Clarksville Base
Today, Clarksville Base is still owned and managed by the Army, which uses it for various purposes, such as training, storage, and disposal. The base is also still restricted and guarded, and access is limited and controlled. The base is not open to the public, except for special occasions and events, such as the tours organized by the museum.
The base is also still a subject of interest and debate, as some people want to preserve and restore it, while others want to demolish and redevelop it. The base is also still a source of mystery and mystery, as some people claim to have seen or heard things that cannot be explained or verified.
Clarksville Base is a unique and remarkable place, that reflects the history and legacy of the U.S. nuclear weapons program and the Cold War. It is a place that deserves to be remembered and respected, as it is a part of the nation’s heritage and identity.
Conclusion
Clarksville Base is a secret nuclear facility in Kentucky that is now a ghost town of tunnels. It was established in 1948 as a part of the U.S. nuclear weapons program, and it stored and assembled various types of nuclear weapons. It was also a target for the Soviet Union, which ranked it as high as No. 3 on its list of sites to destroy in case of a nuclear war.
The base was deactivated in 1968, and the nuclear weapons were removed and transferred to other locations. The base was then turned over to the Army, which used it for various purposes, such as training, storage, and disposal. The Army also demolished some of the buildings and structures, and filled in some of the tunnels and bunkers.
However, the Army did not completely destroy or remove all the traces of the base’s nuclear past. Many of the facilities and features of the base were left intact, such as the fences, gates, signs, roads, and bridges. Some of the tunnels and bunkers were also left open, allowing access to the underground network that once housed the nuclear weapons.
Over the years, the abandoned base became a source of curiosity and fascination for many people, especially those interested in history, military, and paranormal. Some of them ventured into the base, either legally or illegally, to explore and document the remains of the nuclear facility. They also reported encountering strange and eerie phenomena, such as noises, voices, lights, and shadows, that suggested the presence of ghosts or spirits.
The base also attracted the attention of historians and preservationists, who recognized its historical and cultural significance. They advocated for the protection and conservation of the base, as it was one of the few remaining sites of its kind in the country. They also sought to educate and inform the public about the base’s history and role in the Cold War.
Today, Clarksville Base is still owned and managed by the Army, which uses it for various purposes, such as training, storage, and disposal. The base is also still restricted and guarded, and access is limited and controlled. The base is not open to the public, except for special occasions and events, such as the tours organized by the museum.
Clarksville Base is a unique and remarkable place, that reflects the history and legacy of the U.S. nuclear weapons program and the Cold War. It is a place that deserves to be remembered and respected, as it is a part of the nation’s heritage and identity.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article. If you want to learn more about Clarksville Base, you can visit the website of the Fort Campbell’s Don Pratt Museum, or watch this video by Exploration Unknown, a YouTube channel that explores abandoned places.