PH-32
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PH-32 is a former Nike Missile launch site in Marlton, New Jersey. Opened in 1955, the site was apart of a ring of 12 Nike sites intended to protect the population and military installations of the Philadelphia area during the Cold War, specifically from attack by Soviet bomber aircraft. During its operation, it had 2 magazines armed with Nike-Ajax missiles. At different periods in the base's history, it contained between 16-20 missiles.
In 1963, the more advanced Nike-Hercules missile was distributed to some Nike bases. Because of this new missile, fewer sites were needed and PH-32, along with 7 other Philadelphia region bases, was shut down. After deactivation, PH-32 was sold to Burlington County for $32,000 and was used as the Burlington County Civil Defense Center. Its new role was meant to be a coordination center for civil defense in the event of attack, but ended up being used as storage. Different parts of the site also took on various roles including a fire and police academy, a school, and target range.
The site was purchased by a developer who planned to build the Spring Run neighborhood on the control area of the site while donating the launch area as a spot for a new school. While the project was approved, the development was never built. In the 1980s, water contamination near the base was found to be a health hazard. In the 1990s, the site was sold to another developer who turned the control area into the Briarwood development. The launch area is currently vacant.
