The Missile Silo Farm By Sharon Black

The Missile Silo Ranch

Sharon loves history wanted to share this.

Missile Silo Ranch near Brookville, Kansas held tours May 2-5. It was a once in a
lifetime experience for the average citizen to see the inside of the silo, now a bed and
breakfast.

From their Facebook page: Unveiling the Legacy of the 550th Strategic Missile Squadron.

Step into a compelling chapter of the Cold War era with us as we unveil the riveting story of the 550th Strategic Missile Squadron. Nestled within the historic confines of the Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, Kansas, this squadron held its ground from 1962 to 1965, playing a pivotal role in national defense during a critical period in history.

At the entrance with the green alien pointing up, the gravel paths curve around the silo entrance. The huge cement blocks surround the front steel door where the tour guide welcomed and then opened the front door. Once inside the main entrance, the walls are still light gray inside with thick doors. Many metal steps down to the kill area, which meant, there were two doors in a hallway with an armed guard on the inside.

Workers were given a daily password to repeat at the door and if it was not correct…  but the two doors are gone now. This was the protection into the nuclear weapon silo when the warhead was in place ready to strike if needed. Thankfully it was not.

Many steps down led to bedrooms. It is a constant temperature inside. Plastic posters
on the walls have to be attached with a hot gun, otherwise, the humidity takes them
down. TV screens in the wall showed the outside, and what was going on. A narrow
circular staircase down to the kitchen and living room had all the needs.

Onward to the weapon area of thick concrete and steel, and dim light from a lantern
held by the tour guide. We went into a room with three metal panels as the floor over
five gallon buckets of food, and gallon cans of various foods.

Further on, the tour guide had the lantern dimmed to red light, and said we were on an elevator that would drop, but he was kidding, and turned on the light, told us to turn around, and there was the vast round vacant area where the nuclear warhead was once armed and ready.

2432 Ave I , Brookville, KS, United States, 67425
www.themissilesiloranch.com

Sharon Black

Sharon Black has been writing for many years including newspapers, short stories, and as a publisher. She was born in Nebraska and has lived in Kansas most of her life. In her hometown of Smith Center, Kansas,  Willa Cather’s hometown is to the north and Bob Dole’s hometown is to the south. Sharon is a press release writer for the National Parks Arts Foundation and writes for b U n e k e  magazine. The biggest project she has accomplished is the co-writer of the TV movie Home on the Range. The movie is about the song, which is the state song of Kansas and the lawsuit surrounding it in the 1930s and finding the rightful author of the song. Sharon is distantly related to the Mississippi writer Eudora Welty.