Comments on: The Pyramid of North Dakota http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 13:10:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-534273 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-534273 does anyone know the slope? how many degrees? This details is crutial. does anyone know the slope? how many degrees? This details is crutial.

]]> By: Octavio 25 http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525316 Octavio 25 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525316 As a proud(ish) citizen of Concrete, North Dakota, I live right in the middle of many cold war era buildings. I've even toured the PAR site twice, yay me. While Nekoma is virtually abandoned, the PAR site is a very active air force base. I know they give "open house" tours of the PAR building ever year or so, but I'm not sure about the Nekoma building. Whatever though, It is smaller than the PAR building ergo, not as awesome. As a proud(ish) citizen of Concrete, North Dakota, I live right in the middle of many cold war era buildings. I’ve even toured the PAR site twice, yay me. While Nekoma is virtually abandoned, the PAR site is a very active air force base.

I know they give “open house” tours of the PAR building ever year or so, but I’m not sure about the Nekoma building. Whatever though, It is smaller than the PAR building ergo, not as awesome.

]]> By: schmod http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525323 schmod Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525323 Wow. <a href="http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/displayPhoto.pl?path=/pnp/habshaer/nd/nd0000/nd0046/photos&topImages=199347pr.jpg&topLinks=199347pv.jpg,199347pu.tif&title=14.%20%20Photographic%20copy%20of%20photograph,%20dated%2021%20July%201971%20(original%20print%20in%20possession%20of%20U.S.%20Space%20%26%20Strategic%20Defense%20Command%20Historic%20Office%20[CSSD-HO],%20Huntsville,%20AL).%20Photographer%20unknown.%20View%20of%20missile%20site%20control%20building%20turret%20wall%20during%20early%20construction,%20illustrating%20the%20massive%20amount%20of%20rebar%20utilized%20in%20the%20project.%20%3cbr%3eHAER%20ND-9-B-14&displayProfile=0">Underneath all that Concrete is even more rebar... Short of a direct hit by a nuclear bomb (which would be the ultimate irony), I'd imagine that this pyramid thing could survive just about anything. Wow. Underneath all that Concrete is even more rebar…

Short of a direct hit by a nuclear bomb (which would be the ultimate irony), I’d imagine that this pyramid thing could survive just about anything.

]]> By: TotalForge http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-526097 TotalForge Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526097 SAFEGUARD was very much real life Missile Command. The pyramid was flanked by areas with rows and rows of missile silos. Further silos were placed a few miles away. That most of these missiles would have detonated over Canada might not have been discussed with the Canadians... The long-range Spartan missile would attempt interception outside the earth's atmosphere. If the Spartan failed to intercept the incoming missile, the high speed (but short range) Sprint missile would attempt an interception within the atmosphere. Both missiles used nuclear warheads... This video is a great overview of the system, with real footage starting at 2 mins, after the educational animation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UUbMWf-uZI How fast was Sprint? see 2:56 and 3:35 in the video. "The Sprint accelerated at 100 g, reaching a speed of Mach 10 in 5 seconds." Incredible. SAFEGUARD was very much real life Missile Command. The pyramid was flanked by areas with rows and rows of missile silos. Further silos were placed a few miles away. That most of these missiles would have detonated over Canada might not have been discussed with the Canadians…

The long-range Spartan missile would attempt interception outside the earth’s atmosphere. If the Spartan failed to intercept the incoming missile, the high speed (but short range) Sprint missile would attempt an interception within the atmosphere. Both missiles used nuclear warheads…

This video is a great overview of the system, with real footage starting at 2 mins, after the educational animation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UUbMWf-uZI

How fast was Sprint? see 2:56 and 3:35 in the video. “The Sprint accelerated at 100 g, reaching a speed of Mach 10 in 5 seconds.” Incredible.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-594976 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-594976 this is or should I say was the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex http://srmsc.org/ this is or should I say was the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex

http://srmsc.org/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-983332 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-983332 I was assiged as security in the Air Force nearby, the place was supposed to be closed down but there was alot of activity there in the winter we noticed. Kind of a spooky X-files kind of conspiracy stuff floated about in the rumor windmill. I was assiged as security in the Air Force nearby, the place was supposed to be closed down but there was alot of activity there in the winter we noticed. Kind of a spooky X-files kind of conspiracy stuff floated about in the rumor windmill.

]]> By: overunger http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525358 overunger Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525358 Now it's an empty shell, sure, of course it is....nothing to see here. Now it’s an empty shell, sure, of course it is….nothing to see here.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525873 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525873 Dad worked for IBM and on this project specificallhy for awhile. I remember him going up to ND and getting issued a down coat, pants and gloves. I still have a paper wieght with a model of this in it. Thought is was used by NOAA or somebody like that for awhile? Dad worked for IBM and on this project specificallhy for awhile. I remember him going up to ND and getting issued a down coat, pants and gloves. I still have a paper wieght with a model of this in it.

Thought is was used by NOAA or somebody like that for awhile?

]]> By: Pantograph http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525362 Pantograph Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525362 This has to be one of those newfangled "squelette" type thingies. It's still waiting for the day that it will be topped by a solid gold levitating pyramidon sporting an allseeing eye on four of it's five faces. This has to be one of those newfangled “squelette” type thingies. It’s still waiting for the day that it will be topped by a solid gold levitating pyramidon sporting an allseeing eye on four of it’s five faces.

]]> By: johnnyaction http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525377 johnnyaction Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525377 I lived in Cavalier ND as a kid and for a little while there went on PAR portion of the base regularly. The air force had a program that let locals sign up to use the gym in the mid to late 80's. I distinctly remember being very impressed by it. I dug around and found this R&D report on the making of the PAR radar facility. Halfway through it has a <b>cut-away</b> view of the building. http://srmsc.org/pdf/004430p0.pdf <b>It can spot an object the size of a basketball 2,000 miles away</b>. http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/par.htm I lived in Cavalier ND as a kid and for a little while there went on PAR portion of the base regularly. The air force had a program that let locals sign up to use the gym in the mid to late 80′s.

I distinctly remember being very impressed by it.

I dug around and found this R&D report on the making of the PAR radar facility. Halfway through it has a cut-away view of the building. http://srmsc.org/pdf/004430p0.pdf

It can spot an object the size of a basketball 2,000 miles away. http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/par.htm

]]> By: relentlesslyoptimistic http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-526146 relentlesslyoptimistic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526146 Ian Frazier wrote a short piece about this in his wonderful book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Great-Plains-Ian-Frazier/dp/0312278500">Great Plains</a>. Use Look Inside, search for missile, then choose p88 to read the 1.5 page essay. That book was one of my top five favorite books, and that essay was one of my favorite essays from it. It's nice to finally see it. Ian Frazier wrote a short piece about this in his wonderful book, Great Plains. Use Look Inside, search for missile, then choose p88 to read the 1.5 page essay.
That book was one of my top five favorite books, and that essay was one of my favorite essays from it. It’s nice to finally see it.

]]> By: Kelroy J Stone http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-588105 Kelroy J Stone Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-588105 My family lived in Nekoma in 1972 & 73. My parents contracted to clean the MSR base. As a child I had no idea what it was. I went to school in Nekoma and I met some great people from the MSR base. When it was dismantled, my folks rec'd a computer circuit board as a reminder. It's weird that I was totally un-aware of the impact of what was really going on. It was just another job site for my family. I spent the night at a slumber party on that base. I still remember the girls name, Jackie Pfifer! We were cheerleaders together at Nekoma School. Go Trojans! My family lived in Nekoma in 1972 & 73.
My parents contracted to clean the MSR base.
As a child I had no idea what it was. I went to school in Nekoma and I met some great people from the MSR base. When it was dismantled, my folks rec’d a computer circuit board as a reminder.
It’s weird that I was totally un-aware of the impact of what was really going on. It was just another job site for my family. I spent the night at a slumber party on that base. I still remember the girls name, Jackie Pfifer! We were cheerleaders together at Nekoma School. Go Trojans!

]]> By: codereduk http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525642 codereduk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525642 Meh. This has nothing on North Dakota's true treasure; Salem Sue, the <a href="http://www.realnd.com/salemsueindex.htm">World's Largest Holstein Cow</a>! Meh. This has nothing on North Dakota’s true treasure; Salem Sue, the World’s Largest Holstein Cow!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-617293 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-617293 My coworker grew up in Nekoma... This site was one of three proposed sites as a missile defense system to intercept soviet nukes. Two sites were started, one never made it off the drawing table. The Nekoma site was the only one finished. There are 4 phased array radar antennas, one on each side of the pyramid designed for tracking missiles. Around this site (and another not too far away) were interceptor misslesl basically this was a defensive installation not a offensive missle. The base was really a hand in a poker game for disarmament - sure the soviets could launch a strike, but with our 3 defensive systems we woudlnt have near the damage that the soviets would have. It was wide open - in publc view...and readily available for the Soviets to see...as was the second site that was under construction. It was only operational for a few months before it was decommissioned and the disarmament began. I'm a little torn on if it is actually a waste of money or if it was a good thing. It cost a mint to make - but then again it really got people working torwards disarmament. If you have ever seen how much money was spent on missles in ND....you can about imagine how much money we 'saved' by building Nekoma and not spending it on the hundreds of missile sites that were imploded in the 90's. The Minot AFB still has active missiles in ND...lots of them. But there isn't near what we had when I was a teenager. There is a sister site to this near cavalier, ND that was made for long range aquisition of missles - same phased radar antenna system, but only one panel. There are a number of sites like Cavalier still operational along the coast of the US under the name 'Pave Paws' that are activly looking for missles....cavalier is mostly used for tracking space debris now. Fargo Native... My coworker grew up in Nekoma…
This site was one of three proposed sites as a missile defense system to intercept soviet nukes. Two sites were started, one never made it off the drawing table. The Nekoma site was the only one finished.
There are 4 phased array radar antennas, one on each side of the pyramid designed for tracking missiles. Around this site (and another not too far away) were interceptor misslesl basically this was a defensive installation not a offensive missle.
The base was really a hand in a poker game for disarmament – sure the soviets could launch a strike, but with our 3 defensive systems we woudlnt have near the damage that the soviets would have. It was wide open – in publc view…and readily available for the Soviets to see…as was the second site that was under construction.

It was only operational for a few months before it was decommissioned and the disarmament began. I’m a little torn on if it is actually a waste of money or if it was a good thing. It cost a mint to make – but then again it really got people working torwards disarmament. If you have ever seen how much money was spent on missles in ND….you can about imagine how much money we ‘saved’ by building Nekoma and not spending it on the hundreds of missile sites that were imploded in the 90′s.
The Minot AFB still has active missiles in ND…lots of them. But there isn’t near what we had when I was a teenager.

There is a sister site to this near cavalier, ND that was made for long range aquisition of missles – same phased radar antenna system, but only one panel. There are a number of sites like Cavalier still operational along the coast of the US under the name ‘Pave Paws’ that are activly looking for missles….cavalier is mostly used for tracking space debris now.

Fargo Native…

]]> By: NickPheas http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525401 NickPheas Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525401 Looks quite like RAF Fylingdales in the North Yorkshire Moors national park. http://www.science.mod.uk/codex/Issue2/Images/features_3.jpg Every time I'm up there I'm reminded of 70's Doctor Who. Looks quite like RAF Fylingdales in the North Yorkshire Moors national park.
http://www.science.mod.uk/codex/Issue2/Images/features_3.jpg

Every time I’m up there I’m reminded of 70′s Doctor Who.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-588122 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-588122 (more Masonic infiltrators!) (more Masonic infiltrators!)

]]> By: SweetCuppinCakes http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525148 SweetCuppinCakes Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525148 Hmmm... looks like Tyrell Corporation HQ. And that thingy on the dollar bill - where's the "eye of providence"? Hmmm… looks like Tyrell Corporation HQ.
And that thingy on the dollar bill – where’s the “eye of providence”?

]]> By: julesvern97 http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-537948 julesvern97 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-537948 I lived near that pyramid. I wrote about it <a href="http://www.loneprairie.net/2006/11/re-run-nixons-pyramid/">here</a>, with some photos. They let people walk around it a few years back. There's another similar large pyramid/radar device near Cavalier, ND that's still in use. My family also now owns a <a href="http://www.loneprairie.net/2006/11/echo-0-chains-of-command-launch-control-facility/">missile site</a> that was on our land for years. Never gave the strangeness of either site much thought, since they've always been there. Protests were common during the building of the missile sites, and you'll still see the evergreen trees planted by protesters by the road near the driveway to the sites. People are always curious about the missile site and the pyramid, though, when they come through. I lived near that pyramid. I wrote about it here, with some photos. They let people walk around it a few years back.

There’s another similar large pyramid/radar device near Cavalier, ND that’s still in use.

My family also now owns a missile site that was on our land for years. Never gave the strangeness of either site much thought, since they’ve always been there. Protests were common during the building of the missile sites, and you’ll still see the evergreen trees planted by protesters by the road near the driveway to the sites. People are always curious about the missile site and the pyramid, though, when they come through.

]]> By: 3.14chan http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525151 3.14chan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525151 I would like to explore those things I would like to explore those things

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525154 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525154 So this was the real-life version of Missile Command? So this was the real-life version of Missile Command?

]]> By: Benny P http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525158 Benny P Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525158 I have lived in North Dakota my whole life, and have not heard a WORD of this pyramid. I've heard of the nuclear silos, but anything more than underground silos I have not heard anything about. Is this REALLY true? I have lived in North Dakota my whole life, and have not heard a WORD of this pyramid. I’ve heard of the nuclear silos, but anything more than underground silos I have not heard anything about. Is this REALLY true?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525159 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525159 You can find it on Google Maps <a href="http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=nekoma+north+dakota&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=nz&ei=dXxBSpD5N4O6swPVpcn1CA&ll=48.589886,-98.358536&spn=0.005734,0.013947&t=h&z=17">here</a>. When I was a kid, we drove down from Canada (back in the days when you didn't need a passport for such excursions) and were toodling round rural North Dakota rather randomly and came across it. Neat stuff. You can find it on Google Maps here. When I was a kid, we drove down from Canada (back in the days when you didn’t need a passport for such excursions) and were toodling round rural North Dakota rather randomly and came across it. Neat stuff.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-1012331 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1012331 I LIVED 20 MILES FROM THIS SITE. IT WAS IN OPERATION FOR 1 DAY AND THEN SHUT DOWN. IT WAS TO TRACK AND SHOOT DOWN INCOMING MISSILES. IT IS PRETTY COOL TO SEE, THE GROUNDS ARE STILL KEPT UP. BUT THERE AREN'T ANY SECRETS THERE. HOWEVER THERE IS A SECRET RADAR BASE 40 MILES FROM THIS LOCATION AND THAT IS VERY COOL. TAKES A BIT TO GET ONTO IT. BUT IT IS VERY ACTIVE. I LIVED 20 MILES FROM THIS SITE. IT WAS IN OPERATION FOR 1 DAY AND THEN SHUT DOWN. IT WAS TO TRACK AND SHOOT DOWN INCOMING MISSILES. IT IS PRETTY COOL TO SEE, THE GROUNDS ARE STILL KEPT UP. BUT THERE AREN’T ANY SECRETS THERE.

HOWEVER THERE IS A SECRET RADAR BASE 40 MILES FROM THIS LOCATION AND THAT IS VERY COOL. TAKES A BIT TO GET ONTO IT. BUT IT IS VERY ACTIVE.

]]> By: Umbriel http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525170 Umbriel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525170 Just like the pyramids of Egypt and Central America -- makes one consider just how much of human achievement has been inspired by fear and ignorance. Just like the pyramids of Egypt and Central America — makes one consider just how much of human achievement has been inspired by fear and ignorance.

]]> By: merreborn http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525171 merreborn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525171 @Benny P: take a look at the google map on the atlas entry page. You'll have to zoom in a little, and the satellite image is really low res, but there is <i>something</i> there. Looks like you'd have to drive out into the middle of nowhere to get a good look. @Benny P: take a look at the google map on the atlas entry page. You’ll have to zoom in a little, and the satellite image is really low res, but there is something there.

Looks like you’d have to drive out into the middle of nowhere to get a good look.

]]> By: John Mark Ockerbloom http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525428 John Mark Ockerbloom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525428 I'm reminded of "Pyramids for Minnesota", a piece by the late Thomas Disch published in the 1970s. If I remember it correctly, he half-seriously called for pyramids to be built in North Dakota's next-door neighbor to give folks something to do and something interesting to look at. Somehow the reality of the ND one doesn't seem as appealing as the idea of the Minnesota ones. (Though I'd still be tempted to take a gander at it, if I ever am driving in that area of North Dakota.) I’m reminded of “Pyramids for Minnesota”, a piece by the late Thomas Disch published in the 1970s. If I remember it correctly, he half-seriously called for pyramids to be built in North Dakota’s next-door neighbor to give folks something to do and something interesting to look at.

Somehow the reality of the ND one doesn’t seem as appealing as the idea of the Minnesota ones.

(Though I’d still be tempted to take a gander at it, if I ever am driving in that area of North Dakota.)

]]> By: rak0ribz http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525175 rak0ribz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525175 That RADAR system (actually, I'm pretty sure it was another one very much like it on the East Coast) was in one of my college textbooks as an example of a phased-array system. It was pretty high-tech at the time. That RADAR system (actually, I’m pretty sure it was another one very much like it on the East Coast) was in one of my college textbooks as an example of a phased-array system. It was pretty high-tech at the time.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525431 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525431 Reminds me of this pyramid near Gurnee, IL. http://local.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=mills&sll=42.412677,-87.942477&sspn=0.003244,0.006545&ie=UTF8&t=h&radius=0.17&rq=1&ll=42.413025,-87.942236&spn=0.003244,0.006545&z=18 It used to be gold plated, until pilots complained about the glare... Reminds me of this pyramid near Gurnee, IL.

http://local.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=mills&sll=42.412677,-87.942477&sspn=0.003244,0.006545&ie=UTF8&t=h&radius=0.17&rq=1&ll=42.413025,-87.942236&spn=0.003244,0.006545&z=18

It used to be gold plated, until pilots complained about the glare…

]]> By: arbitraryaardvark http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525181 arbitraryaardvark Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525181 http://www.indypyramids.com/ as seen in "rock and roll starship II" http://www.indypyramids.com/
as seen in “rock and roll starship II”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/23/the-pyramid-of-north.html#comment-525184 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-525184 I swear I'm not trying to be all "self promotion-y" here or anything, but I thought guys you might enjoy this. We used a historical photo of this fantastic thing in our reel... imagined it being used as some sort of audio defense mechanism, repelling the Red Menace with Ethel Merman tunes. Its <a href="http://feelgoodanyway.com/work/FGA_reel/">HERE</a> if you'd like to have a look. Its about half way through the movie. I'm sorry if linking like this is inappropriate. Matt I swear I’m not trying to be all “self promotion-y” here or anything, but I thought guys you might enjoy this. We used a historical photo of this fantastic thing in our reel… imagined it being used as some sort of audio defense mechanism, repelling the Red Menace with Ethel Merman tunes. Its HERE if you’d like to have a look. Its about half way through the movie. I’m sorry if linking like this is inappropriate.

Matt

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