Welcome to the latest episode of Preserving History and Democracy!

We’re excited to welcome back author and historian Jim Eckles for Part 2 of our Ranches to Rockets series. In this episode, Eckles continues to unravel the fascinating—and often overlooked—story of how southern New Mexico became ground zero for America’s early rocket testing.

He begins by explaining the skepticism and resistance to the concept of rockets in the early 1940s. From there, we explore how Germany quickly embraced rocketry as a weapon of war, and how the United States soon followed suit—identifying Alamogordo as a prime location for testing.

Eckles details the growing tensions as local ranchers were asked to vacate their lands, triggering protests and pushback. He also shares how the nearby city of Las Cruces initially met the project with hesitation, but gradually warmed to the idea once the economic benefits became clear.

We also meet key figures in the story, including Colonel Turner and his role in the project’s development. Eckles walks us through the dramatic highs and lows of the V-2 rocket launches, and discusses the ongoing legacy of the sounding rocket program still active at White Sands Missile Range today.

He sheds light on the fate of displaced ranchers, the government’s eventual decision to buy out the land after failed land-sharing attempts, and the contentious congressional hearings that followed when ranchers felt shortchanged by the deal. Eckles even brings historical documents to share with the hosts—offering a tangible link to this complex chapter of local history.

Finally, the episode wraps up with a thoughtful conversation about how this story remains largely unknown within Doña Ana County, and how it continues to shape the region’s identity.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/QtB0xxgOew8?si=JnARD5nxoa51sxur

Special Guest: Jim Eckles

Hosted by: Bernardine Caporale, Caroline Zamora

Produced by: Bernardine Caporale, Jacob Slaughter

Edited by: Jacob Slaughter