Historic California Posts, Camps,
Stations and Airfields
Cuyamaca Training
Area
Acquisition information
is neither complete or specific. Based on available documentation,
the Navy Department (acting for the Marine Corps) acquired approximately
28,000 acres by Use Permit from the U.S. government (approximately
8,560 acres permitted by the U.S Department of Agriculture for
land comprising a part of the Cleveland National Forest), the
State of California (approximately 140 acres) and private parties
(approximately 19,400 acres) for a training site. The Navy acquired
the property between July - October 1944. Total acreage for this
site could not be determined.
The U.S. Marine Corps (Fleet Marine Forces, San Diego) used the
property for jungle survival training and as a maneuver area.
As a condition of use, no permanent military improvements were
constructed and no live ammunition of any type was discharged
at the training site. A headquarters camp was established in
an area (exact location unknown) that was formerly used as a
campground by the owners. Several temporary buildings were erected
and the water supply piped by the property owner was utilized
for the headquarters.
Disposal information is neither complete or specific. By April
1945 the Marine Corps had discontinued use of the training site
and terminated all use permits. No evidence of military improvements
on the property were found during the site survey. The training
site area is presently comprised of federal, state and private
property some of which is developed but most remains
undeveloped.
Source: Los Angeles District,
US Army Corps of Engineers