The Sharpner's Pond Anti-Ballistic Missile Site is a location in

North Andover, Massachusetts North Andover is an affluent town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. At the 2020 census the population was 30,915. History Native Americans inhabited what is now northeastern Massachusetts for thousands of years prior to European c ...

, which was slated to be the site of a Perimeter Acquisition Radar facility for the

Sentinel program Sentinel was a proposed US Army anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system designed to provide a light layer of protection over the entire United States, able to defend against small ICBM strikes like those expected from China, or accidental launches ...

. Initially, an access road and a large excavation for an underground power plant were constructed at the site. However, in light of mounting publicity and public outcry over the construction of Sentinel sites, the Sentinel program ended before substantial construction took place at the Sharpner's Pond location. All activity at the Sharpner's Pond site halted on March 14, 1969, when contracts with construction agencies were terminated. The land was later transferred back to the Department of Conservation from the Department of Defense and became part of Boxford State Forest. The area was badly damaged by the work conducted by the site and has not fully recovered. Cavalierairforcestationparcs

Confusion with Sharpners Pond

After maintenance of the site stopped, the excavated area filled with rain and groundwater, forming a pond. The pond formed by the excavation at the site is frequently confused with the nearby Sharpners Pond, which is privately owned and not part of the Boxford State Forest. Sharpners Pond is not accessible to the public.

Drownings at excavation site

The pond formed by the excavation at Sharpner's Pond Anti-Ballistic Missile Site is not designated for swimming as the water is deep, cold, and can be easily occluded by silt. A danger sign posted along the access road leading to the excavation warns visitors to not swim in the water although it has since been vandalized. Between 2004 and 2008, three drownings resulted from swimming in the excavation. Despite the risks, it is reported that the site is often frequented by swimmers and visitors after dark, often consuming alcohol at the site. In 2008 it was reported that police activity is increased in the area to combat swimming and after-hours use of the site. A gate was also installed as the access road had become a popular dumping ground for stolen vehicles. In 2008, it was reported that a memorial had been spray-painted at the site onto rocks near the water reading "R.I.P. Keolong Keath 6/16/2004".

References

External links

A History of the Huntsville Division U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
{{Coord, 42, 38, 47.37, N, 71, 2, 13.44, W, display=title North Andover, Massachusetts Missile defense Drowning