Source: http://63.192.157.117/specials/Century/1950/news06.html (The Vacaville "Reporter")

Missile base added to Travis defenses

A fast-moving defense construction program began this week with the start of the actual excavation on the $2,430,000 Bomarc base near Dixon.

In the past few weeks, the contractor, Zarpas-Fullerton of Detroit, has moved a project trailer onto the Otto Sievers ranch four miles north of Dixon, has staked the layout, and has begun excavating for the base pads under the 28 launching shelters which will house the Bomarc missiles.

Other work which is to be started immediately includes the construction of a project office for personnel of the corps of engineers and Boeing Aircraft Company, the firm which manufactures the Bomarc missile, and the installation of the main entrance road to the launcher area.

Other work will follow, including a composite building at 26,000 square feet, water and petroleum systems, fire station assembly and maintenance buildings, and personnel accommodations.

It is expected that about 100 men will be employed during peak construction, many of whom will be hired locally. Norman Solatar, the project superintendent for the prime contractor, has taken up residence in the Sacramento area while Virgil M. Shinn, the project administrator, is leasing a home in the Dixon area.

Considerable concrete work is expected to follow the excavation for the launching shelters. Each base pad will be 24 inches thick and the launching shelters will measure 60 by 22 feet. The walls, topped with movable roofs, will also be of heavy concrete.

The shelters are so designed that when the roof sections are actuated the loaded missiles will automatically rise to a firing position.

The Reporter, Dec. 4, 1959