July 18, 1968
Missile Tourist Attraction
Landmark is Christened by Local Rotary Club

After many frustrating setbacks and literally wading through miles of governemental red tape, plus overcoming many other obstacles that at the time seemed insurmountable, ex-president of the Cordele Rotary Club John S. Pate, Jr. Wednesday realized a year-long drema when he formally christened a Titan ICBM missile as a tourist attraction - landmark for Cordele and Crisp County.

The 100-foot tall rocket has been installed at the rear of the Standard C11 service station on the north side of U.S. Highway 280 at the intersection of interstate 75. Weighing many tons with its steel construction, the missile is on a plot of land between the Holiday Inn and I-75.

"Meet me under the Missile on I-75" was a slogan suggested by Pate when he first proposed the project to the Rotarians shortly after he assumed office to serve for the 1966-67 term as president of the local Rotary Club.

This slogan was adopted and promoted throughout the long months of working out details for the erection of the rocket, which is set on the base, anchored by several tons of concrete and sttel which are underground and will never be seen by the average tourist. the entire project costs serveral thousand dollars, with the cost being borne by the Rotary Club and with donations of work and materials by the city and county governments and individuals as well as local business firms.

Hour of Glory

The entire membership of the local club that was present at Wednesday's meeting joined Pate in his "hour of glory" which followed the regular noon meeting, for the formal dedication and christening.

The missile, after being declared obsolete by the U.S. Air Force, was flown from California to Warner Robins Air Base where it was held in storage for several months, was transported down I-75 last Friday and installed on the prepared base early this week.

A missile expert from Cape Kennedy helped with the final installation of the rocket. During his work, the Cape Kennedy representative unofficially dubbed the site as "Confederate Air force Pad No. 1." That distinction will probably be remembered as long as the site remains at its present location.

The attraction has already been described as one of the best lures to tourists traveling I-75 or other interconnecting highways that has been erected in the United States.

There is no doubt that the missile will draw the attention of travelers on the super highway in the years to come as it has for the brief period it has been in existence. Even before the installation was completed, tourists were seen snapping pictures of their party standing at the base of the rocket.

Monday, July 15, 1968
Titan Missile Arrives

Erection of a huge Titan missile at the intersection of I-75 and U.S. 280 East is expected to be started and completed this week after the 100-foot plus long rocket was transported to Cordele from Warner Robins last Friday. The rocket is being installed by the Cordele Rotary Club as a tourist-landmark for the City of Cordele and Crisp County. It is to be located to the rear of the Standard Oil service station on U.S. 280 East between the Holiday Inn and I-75. The Titan was dismantled in California, flown to Warner Robins and transported to Cordele after it was donated to the Rotary Club by the federal government.

Thursday, July 18, 1968

"Confederate Air Force Pad No. 1" as the base on which the 110-foot tall Titan missile is anchored here as a tourist attraction-landmark has been unofficially dubbed by a Cape Kennedy Missile expert - was formally christened Wednesday.

Doing the honors was John S. Pate, Jr., ex-president of the Cordele Rotary Club who originated the idea, as members of the club watched following the regular noon meeting of the civic organization.