On 15 May 1942, the War Department acquired 771.956 acres of land through fee, leaseholds and permits from 14 separate parties. 634.77 acres were acquired in fee in a condemnation action by two separate leases (630.65 acres from Katherine Torrence et. al., and 4.12 acres from the Pacific Electric Railway Company). An additional 137.186 acres were acquired in fee, easements, licenses, and lesser interest from 12 separate parties.
The site was used by the Army for Harbor Defenses of Los Angeles by Fort MacArthur during World War II, specifically as a shore artillery battery. Army structures were built in the northern half of the site consisting of fortification structures and buildings, two gun emplacements, a water tank and tower, transformer vault, two underground tanks, and electrical and water utility systems.
In 1948 all of the site was declared excess except a 6.20 acre parcel and necessary easements. By judgement entered in 1949, 634.77 acres was revested in the former owners (6.20 acres of the Katherine Torrence tract was retained as were easements for communication cable [1.39 acres], power line [0.71 acres], water [0.22 acre], and roadway [3.33 acres]). The War Assets Administration (WAA) assumed accountability for 123.006 acres on 1 February 1949. An additional 14.18 acres were reassigned to WAA on 11 February 1954 for LA Battery Bolsa Chica, making a total of 137.186 acres. Late in 1949, 116.24 acres (of the 137.186 acres) were declared surplus and revested in their former owners. The remaining 20.946 acre tract was conveyed by the Government to the Ocean View School District (OVSD) on 12 September 1949. The OVSD breached the conditions of this contract, subsequently the tract was transferred by GSA to the Department of the Army on 3 June 1954. Both the 20.946 acre tract and the 6.20 acre tract were acquired for Nike Battery Bolsa Chica. However, due to a change in criteria for Nike sites, the subject land could not be used.
The 6.20 acre tract was relinquished by quit claim deed to a private individual on 15 August 1959. At present, the northern part of the site is vacant, and the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve encompasses the southwestern quadrants of the site. The OVSD owns 15.33 acres of the 20.946 acre tract. The remaining 5.616 acres is privately owned. The property to the north of Los Patos Ave has been subdivided and developed into several single family homes. Several utility lines traverse the property, and there is a network of oil pipelines on the site.
Source: US Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District
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SCR-296 Fixed Coast Artillery Gun-Laying Medium Wave Radar Set. No 5
Description: Fixed Coast Artillery gun-laying medium wave radar, assigned to modern 6 inch or larger batteries.
Uses: Set is designed to track a surface target in range and azimuth. Data are sent to the plotting room and used in firing. An SCR-296-A normally is assigned to one battery, but may furnish data to more. Works with IFF RC-136-A.
Performance & Sitting: Range is shown on "A" scope. The target is tracked in azimuth with a pip matching oscilloscope or a zero-center meter. Range accuracy is about ± 30 yards while azimuth accuracy is about ± 0.20 degree under the best conditions. The set has a dependable range of 20,000 yards on a destroyer size target when employed at a height of 145 feet. Site should be not less than 100 feet above sea level; 150 to 500 feet is recommended.
Mobility: Shipment includes areas and separate generator. When crated the total weight is 91,763 lbs. Largest unit is 5,270 lbs.
Installation: SCR-296-A includes a tower, an operating building, and two power plant buildings. The tower is obtainable in heights of 25, 50, 75, and 100 feet. Concrete floors must be put in locally.
Personnel: Operating crew consists of 5 men in addition to a power plant operator and maintenance man who should be available at all times.
Power: Primary power of 2.3 KW is supplied by PE-84C -- commercial or auxiliary 110 V, AC single phase. Generator needs high octane gasoline.
Information from Naval History Library Online.
Maps
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| Army of the United States Station List | 7 April 1945 |
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Fort MacArthur Museum Fort Wiki A Brief History of Bolsa Chica Military Reservation Available from Amazon.com: Seacoast Fortifications of the United States: An Introductory History by Emmanual R. Lewis Paperback. Published by the United States Naval Institute. 1993 Available from Fort MacArthur Military Press Website California's Railway Guns and their Home at Fort MacArthur Small, Charles S. Railhead Publications, Canton, OH 1984 The Harbor Defenses of Los Angeles, a Reference Manual Berhow, Mark A. Fort MacArthur Military Press, San Pedro, CA 1992 Guardian at Angels Gate: Fort MacArthur Defender of Los Angeles Berhow, Mark A. and Gustafson, David Fort MacArthur Military Press, San Pedro, CA (draft manuscript)