Cold War-era map of evacuation routes from General Dynamics in Fort Worth

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Cold War-era map of evacuation routes from General Dynamics in Fort Worth

Object number2018.036.0001

Date11/05/1962

ClassificationsDocuments

Creator General Dynamics

Author Frank W. Davis

ObjectMap

Credit LineThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Collection

MediumPaper

Dimensions11 × 8 1/2 in. (27.9 × 21.6 cm)

Terms

Collections

DescriptionCold War-era map of evacuation routes for employees of General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas. Map was originally distributed with a letter to all employees of General Dynamics. The letter, dated November 5, 1962, was signed by the president of the company Frank W. Davis; he addressed evacuation procedures and other Department of Defense recommendations in the event of a nuclear attack. The map shows Lake Worth in the upper right corner and Carswell Air Force Base beneath the lake down the right side of the page. The center shows "White Settlement (Incorporated)" and "Westland" below it along the lower part of the page. There are four evacuation routes shown - one and two are to the south on the right side of the page and intersect with U. S. Highway 80, three is to the west along White Settlement Rd, and four is also to the south off White Settlement Rd and intersects with U. S. Highway 80 that goes west to Weatherford. General Dynamics / Fort Worth is shown on the evacuation map in the upper right quadrant to the left of the base and south of Lake Worth.

Curatorial Commentary

According to its website, General Dynamics provided tanks, missiles, rockets, submarines, warships, fighters and electronics to all branches of the military from 1952 to the 1990s. During the Cold War, this would have made General Dynamics an important target for enemies trying to limit the United States' military readiness for nuclear war, necessitating this type of evacuation map for employees.

The date of this letter is important - November 5, 1962. This was distributed mere days after the tense stand-off of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Note that Davis mentions handing out a flyer from the Department of Defense titled "Fallout Protection -- What to Know and Do about Nuclear Attack" - you can see this flyer online (2016.027.0001).

- Lindsey Richardson, Curator of Collections