Goddard Rocket Launching Site
Why it's listed
This open ground in Auburn, Massachusetts, was once part of the Asa Ward farm, where physicist Robert H. Goddard used a relative's field as an outdoor laboratory. On March 16, 1926, he launched the world's first successful liquid-fueled rocket there. The ten-foot rocket reached 41 feet, flew for 2.5 seconds and landed 184 feet away. His last Auburn launch, on July 17, 1929, carried a barometer, thermometer and camera, all recovered. The noise and reports of an explosion drew publicity that brought him to the attention of Charles Lindbergh, who later helped secure Guggenheim support. The farm became the Pakachoag Golf Course in 1929-31. The launch point lies midway between the tee and green on the ninth fairway and is marked by a four-foot granite obelisk. A second marker, placed by the American Rocket Society in 1960, stands near Upland Street. The landmark boundary is a 200-foot-radius circle centered on the obelisk.
Significance in brief: The site commemorates the world's first successful liquid-fueled rocket launch, the practical culmination of Goddard's experiments at Auburn in the 1920s. His final Auburn launch in 1929 carried the first instrumented payload and brought publicity that led to Guggenheim support. The form designates it a National Historic Landmark in the areas of science and invention.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000654, listed November 13, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Ninth fairway, Pakachoag Golf Course, Pakachoag Rd., Auburn |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | November 13, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000654 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1926 |
| Areas of significance | Science, Invention |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 13, 1966 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Site and both markers are described as in excellent condition. The site is part of a commercial golf course, open to the public during regular operating hours, and little altered except for its plant materials. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.21874, -71.81195 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000654.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5576259
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.