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WAY STATION TO SPACE
I.	EARLY TIMES [1961-1963]
Pearl River site in Hancock County, Mississippi selected by NASA to build a static test facility for large rocket stages and engines with first mission to support Apollo manned lunar landing program. Project under overall management of Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).
Corps of Engineers selected as agent for land acquisition and construction management. Site officially named Mississippi Test Operations (MTO) December 18, 1961. Five communities (Gainesville, Logtown, Santa Rosa, Napoleon and Westonia) moved to make way for the new facility.
II.	BUILDING THE SPACE CENTER [1963-1967]
Construction of facility began in spring of 1963. Over 6,000 people involved at peak of construction. Building of space center was
largest construction project in history of state. MTO renamed Mississippi Test Facility (MTF) July 1, 1965. Concurrent work had construction, activation and operation personnel working side by side as urgency of completion quickened. Surrounding communities heeded call to expand business and institutional facilities as new residents moved in. Cost of MTF was approximately $350 million.
III.	TESTING SATURN [1966-1970]
The Boeing Co. tested the Saturn V first stage (S-IC) and North American Aviation tested the Saturn V second stage (S-ll). The General Electric Co. furnished institutional and technical support for facility and test program. There were a total of 27 rocket stages tested at the Mississippi Test Facility, 12 S-ICs and 15 S-lls. The last test was conducted October 30, 1970.