Why did Dr. Goddard launch his early rockets in Auburn, Massachusetts?
Although Dr. Goddard did his early static rocket tests at Clark University, he needed to get out of an urban area like Worcester to launch his rockets safely. Effie Ward owned a farm about two miles away from the university on Pakachoag Hill in Auburn. Although referred to as “Aunt Effie,” she was not actually an aunt of his, but a slightly more distant relative. Her farm, which was in a somewhat rural area, made it much less likely that a rocket would land where it would cause damage. The site of the farm is now part of the Pakachoag Golf Course.
