For those too young to remember the Cuban Missile Crisis or the Cold War, the idea of the need for eight different government defense sites around Milwaukee may seem unfathomable or maybe even a bit silly. But for those who lived through the heightened awareness of the threat of nuclear war, the remnants of these missile sites are a reminder of a very different time in our lives and an important part of the country's history. In Waukesha, one of the abandoned Nike missile sites is part of a public park, and a local group would like it turned into a Cold War Museum. Either way, this abandoned missile silo in Wisconsin is right in our backyard and can be visited at any time.

Hillcrest Park is tucked away among homes and apartment buildings now and isn't the easiest to find. For those going about their business on nearby Main Street, there's no real sign that just feet away there is a park full of recent history just waiting to be discovered.

Tucked into Waukesha, just west of Milwaukee, lies the remains of a former Nike missile site. There were actual missile launching pads as well as ground radar equipment here meant to help protect the Midwest in the event the Russians began bombing America.

There were eight different sites all around Wisconsin. The one in Waukesha was in use from the 1950s until 1972 when it was decommissioned. The land was somewhat recently given to the city of Waukesha after remediation cleanup.

The site had two parts - one for launching Nike missiles that were meant to intercept and destroy anything launched and aimed at the area as well as massive radar and tracking equipment. Given the shape of the Earth, the plan was to first engage and try to stop anything above the less populated areas of Canada. The Canada border was another line of demarcation that would trigger a local alert. In Wisconsin, the missiles were aimed North, to try and intercept anything near Oshkosh or even further North.

Today, the site is basically abandoned and lost to the passage of time. There is graffiti on some of the pieces and they look out of place in the middle of this residential neighborhood.

But many of the people who worked at this site are still alive and can tell the tale of working here every day in times like the Cuban Missile Crisis. There's still a large bunker here with massive doors.

Climbing on the tower is considered trespassing, but a trip to this park is still worthwhile to take in what is left of a very serious and necessary line of defense.

Younger generations don't really understand the severity of the fear that existed during the Cold War and how very necessary these types of missile sites were considered. It's a good place to take your kids for a history lesson.

Standing silently among these discarded remains of a time gone is a really moving experience. It's necessary to stop and assess where the country has been and where it's headed and to understand how and why places like this were built all over the state.

Get an in-depth look at this abandoned missile silo in Wisconsin:

Have you ever visited this site? Do you have memories from this time you'd like to share? Tell us all about it in the comments.

Have you been to any abandoned missile silos in Wisconsin? Let us know about your experiences in the comments. If you like learning more about the past, go on a drive to take a look at these other abandoned places in Wisconsin.