That warm glow

Do any of my esteemed readers remember watching atomic bombs explode from Orange County? Better yet, does anyone have photos to share? Because, you know, AMERICANS nuked America LONG before Kim Jong “Rocket Man” Un was even a twinkle in his deranged father’s eye.

From 1951 through 1962, one hundred above-ground nuclear detonations were conducted at the Nevada Test Site, about 65 miles from the Las Vegas strip. That was followed by 800-some underground tests from 1962 to 1992. 

Some tests were more noticeable in Southern California than others. For instance,... In the wee small hours of June 1, 1952, a detonation that was barely observable in nearby Las Vegas put on quite a show in Northern and Southern California. It lit up the night sky, rattled windows and doors, and gave off a rumble that bounced off clouds and and mountains. The Los Angeles Times reported that the test "alarmed thousands of Southland residents who mistook it for an earthquake or explosion. Some were awakened by the impact. Police and Sheriff's station call boards began buzzing frantically a few minutes before 5 a.m. as alarmed citizens sought an explanation..." 

The image above was taken Feb. 6, 1951, at 5:48 a.m., and shows reporter Jack Smith atop the roof of the Los Angeles Herald-Express building, pointing toward the largest (at that point) atomic explosion ever conducted at the Nevada Test Site -- about 240 mile away. This particular test explosion was part of the "Operation Ranger" series and was made by dropping an Mk-4, Type D bomb nicknamed "Baker 2" from a B-50D bomber. It exploded in the open air over Frenchman Flat.

So,... Do photos like this, taken in Orange County, exist?