Part of NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center, the INFINITY Science Center has long been a popular destination for field trips and family outings. Though a well known attraction, not many of us put much thought into the site’s past. Prior to becoming “America’s largest rocket engine test complex,” the area included several towns. However, all that changed in October 1961, when the federal government announced it had chosen the area to be the site of a new test facility. The announcement led to years of hard work and the renowned facility we have today; here are 10 photos that show exactly what went into constructing Stennis Space Center.
The federal government selected the area in Hancock County as the site for the new facility for several reasons.
nasa.gov In addition to water access, which was necessary for transporting materials, it provided an acoustical buffer zone of 125,000 acres.
Before construction began, the towns of Gainesville, Napoleon, Santa Rosa, Logtown, and Westonia had to be completely relocated.
nasa.gov Pictured above is Lollie Bell, the Logtown postmaster, and Roy Baxter, the owner of the post office, as they lower the post office’s flag for the last time.
At the time, it was the largest construction project in the state of Mississippi and the 2nd largest in the United States.
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Clearing the land needed for the 13,800-acre facility was no easy task. Construction officially began on May 17, 1963, when work crews sawed down one of the first trees.
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In the early 1960s, work began on the A-1 and A-2 test stands. The test stands were designed to test the Apollo Saturn V rocket, which would later be used to transport Americans to the moon.
nasa.gov Pictured above, construction crews install steel reinforcing rods at the base of the A-2 test stand.
Taken in 1963, this picture shows the site at the early stages of construction.
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A variety of engineers contributed to the project. Taken in July 1963, this picture shows several of those engineers going over construction schedules.
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Work continues on the A-2 test stand in this 1964 photo.
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Dr. Wernher von Braun, an aerospace engineer and space architect, played a huge role in the facility’s construction.
nasa.gov He’s seen here meeting with other engineers during one of the many visits he made to the facility while construction was underway.
In the fall of 1963, Dr. von Braun visited several cities throughout south Mississippi. The purpose of his publicity tour was to prepare locals for the “accelerated growth” communities would experience once the facility became operational.
nasa.gov In this photo taken in October 1963, Dr. von Braun speaks with residents at the Gulf South Livestock and Space Fair in Picayune.
Learn more about the space center’s history in the video below.
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In addition to water access, which was necessary for transporting materials, it provided an acoustical buffer zone of 125,000 acres.
Pictured above is Lollie Bell, the Logtown postmaster, and Roy Baxter, the owner of the post office, as they lower the post office’s flag for the last time.
Pictured above, construction crews install steel reinforcing rods at the base of the A-2 test stand.
He’s seen here meeting with other engineers during one of the many visits he made to the facility while construction was underway.
In this photo taken in October 1963, Dr. von Braun speaks with residents at the Gulf South Livestock and Space Fair in Picayune.
Have you ever visited the Stennis Space Center? We’d love to hear about your experience!
If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out “Take A Closer Look At The Lost City Of Logtown, Mississippi.“
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