This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Bumper rocket began Cape Canaveral era in 1950
Cape Canaveral's first liftoff was the Bumper 8 test on July 24, 1950, marking a fragile start to a spaceport era. The site evolved from the White Sands tests with V-2s and WAC Corporals to become a launch hub for Project Mercury through the Apollo moon program and beyond. Norris Gray, 80, recalls early days, while historic remnants remain near the lighthouse and pad.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cape Canaveral
Fla
John Glenn
Florida Marsh
New Mexico
Atlantic
Cape Kennedy
Cape
NASA
Norris Gray
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Jones
Hitler
Germany
California
Atlantic Ocean
Army
United States
WAC
White Sands
Juan Ponce de Leon
Cabo de Canaveral
Hernando de Soto
Homer Joe Stewart
Stewart
Banana River Naval Air Station
U.S
General Electric and Engineers
California Institute of Technology
Gray
Mona Martin
Miss Mona
Redstone
Atlas
Titan
Caltech
America