Fifty-three civilian workers died in an accidental fire while they were modifying the Titan II Missile launch complex 373-4 near Pangburn (White County). The Titan II Missile program was a Cold War weapons system featuring fifty-four launch complexes in three states. Eighteen were in Arkansas, from which intercontinental ballistic missiles carrying nine-megaton nuclear warheads could be launched to strike targets as far as 5,500 miles away.
Days in AR History - Starting with A
August 9, 1967
The town of Bethel Heights (Benton County) was incorporated. Bethel Heights is situated on Business Highway 71 between Lowell (Benton County) and Springdale (Washington and Benton counties) just east of Interstate 49. Although the community existed since the 1870s, it was not incorporated until 1967. In 2020, it was annexed by Springdale following a vote in both communities.
August 9, 1974
The Crossett Experimental Forest project was closed. An agreement meant to last fifty years between Crossett Lumber Company and the United States Forest Service was concluded ten years earlier than planned for financial reasons. Because of the imminent loss of assets, which included historic buildings and irreplaceable long-term demonstrations and studies, Forest Service leaders later decided to reestablish the research unit in 1979.
