Yes, historical data indicates that a significant number of nuclear warheads were stored in California. In 1985, researchers William M. Arkin and Richard W. Fieldhouse reported in their book, “Nuclear Battlefields,” that a substantial arsenal was present within the state.
Nuclear Warhead Storage in California (1985)
According to the 1985 report, California housed 1,437 nuclear warheads. This figure placed California as the fourth-ranked state in the United States for the number of stockpiled warheads at that time.
The ranking of states with the highest number of nuclear warheads in 1985, as detailed by Arkin and Fieldhouse, was as follows:
| Rank | State |
|---|---|
| 1 | South Carolina |
| 2 | New York |
| 3 | North Dakota |
| 4 | California |
The Evolving Landscape of Nuclear Stockpiles
It is important to understand that the storage and deployment of nuclear weapons are dynamic and subject to ongoing strategic defense reviews and international agreements. Nuclear stockpiles and their locations can change significantly over time due to factors such as arms control treaties, technological advancements, and shifts in national defense priorities.
While specific, current figures regarding nuclear warhead storage locations are often classified for national security reasons, the 1985 data provides a clear historical record of California's role in the nation's nuclear deterrent. Historically, such warheads would typically be stored at major military installations or strategic air force bases capable of housing and deploying these sophisticated weapons. This historical insight underscores California's past importance in the nuclear defense infrastructure of the United States.
