Historic California Posts, Camps,
Stations and Airfields
Mussel Rock Military Reservation
(Seacoast Searchlight Positions
29 and 30)
US Army
Corps of Engineers History
Acquisition: Judgement
on the Declaration of Taking dated May 31, 1940, under the provisions
of the Act of February 26, 1931( 46 stat. 1421;40 U.S.C. 258a),
from John llacready, et al, for the U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of California, Misc. No. 21565-R. $250.00 deposited
in the registry of the Court as just compensation for the land
taken, which comprises .91 acres and an easement containing .124
acre. $500 final award August 12, 1940.
By Deed dated January 22, 1940 from W. Griffith Henshaw and Irene
R. Henshaw, his wife, conveying 1.62 acres, more or less, togther
with a right-of-way for an automobile and wagon road, for the
sum of $355.00. Recorded in Vol. 896 page 289 of Deeds, San Mateo
County. Parcel one consists of 0.57 acres, parcel two (right-of-way)
consists of 1.05 aces.
An additional 1.2 acre parcel for the
placement of two seacoast seachlights (number 29 and 30) by means
of a lease from Mr. John McCready
Site History: The site was utilized by the U.S. Army as
a fire control and seach light station for the Harbor Defense
of San Francisco . Between 1941 and 1943, three permanent underground
concrete structures were built; namely, a power plant room and
two base end stations for the following batteries
Battery 243, Fort Miley
Battery 244, Milagra Ridge Military Reservation
Seacoast Searchlight Position 29 and 30
were also located either on the 1.20 acre leased parcel.
Air defense was provided by a single .M2
50 caliber machine gun.
Disposal: On
8 September 1947, the War Assets Administration assumed accountability
for 1.55 fee acres of land. On 12 September 1958, 3.44 acres
of land was reported excess to the General Services Administration
(GSA). In 1960, GSA conveyed the 3.44 acres of land by two quitclaim
deeds. There was no record of the 1.20 acres leasehold. Records
show that 3.564 acres were inspected and policed for the removal
or demolition of duds and other unexploded ammunition.
Maps:
Real Estate Map
Site Map, Mussel Rock Military Reservation
Mussel Rock Datum Point and Right of
Way
Leased Parcel, Mussel Rock Military
Reservation, Seacoast Serchlight Positions Nos. 29 and 30
Reports of
Completed Works - Seacoast Fortifications
Power House
Base End Station, Battery 244 located
at Miligra Ridge Military Reservation
Base End Station, Battery 243 located
at Fort Miley
