Timeline: NGA has a long history in 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ area
As the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency analyzes sites for a new location, we take a look at the agency's history.
1803
Jul 04
President Thomas Jefferson sends Lewis and Clark to 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ area to explore and map the Louisiana Territory. The mission is precursor to the…
1943
Jan 01
The U.S. Army Air Corps renames its map unit and creates the Aeronautical Chart Plant, beginning work in 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ and employing about 500. It…
1951
Dec 31
The federal government consolidates the 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ operation to the old 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ Arsenal, just south of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The U.S. A…
1958
Dec 31
Agency employees worked with NASA and the U.S. Army Map Service to create maps of the surface of the moon, which paved the way for lunar explo…
1972
Jun 28
The Armed Services combine map and charting efforts into the Defense Mapping Agency. In 1996, Congress, the DOD and CIA combine efforts to cre…
1994
Jul 18
The Defense Mapping Agency announces it will build a second area facility in Arnold to house and print maps.
2003
Jan 01
The National Imagery and Mapping Agency changes its name to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
2011
May 02
The NGA created maps and other resources to assist the military in the mission that led to Osama bin Laden's death in Pakistan.
2014
Jun 04
The NGA publicly reveals plan to build a new western headquarters somewhere in the 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ region, spurring a bi-state battle to house the $…
As featured on
Choice between 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ and St. Clair County to be disclosed on Friday.
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency plans to build its new Western Headquarters in the city, keeping a decades-long relationship with 50¶È»ÒÊÓƵ and solidifying the spy agency's move into the digital era.
Hard work still ahead for city
