Location: The U.S. Naval Barracks (Women's Reserve) site is located in Coronado, California, approximately 1.5 direct miles across San Diego Bay west of downtown San Diego. Specifically, it is located in a densely urbanized area with no Section number, in T.17 S., R.3 W., San Bernardino Baseline and Meridian. The site is located on the north side of First Street along the stretch that intersects E, F and G streets. To reach the site, take the Coronado Bay Bridge from the 5 Freeway to Fourth Street. Proceed west on Fourth Street to D Street. Follow D Street north to reach the site.
Site History: The Navy acquired the property in two parts. Initially, 7.22 acres were leased in April 1943. Subsequently, 6.75 acres were leased no later than early September 1944. Ultimately, 14 buildings and related structures were constructed on a total of 13.97 acres. The structures on-site consisted of an administration building, two women's officers quarters, four
barracks, one mess hall and galley, a 16-bed dispensary, ferry landing facilities (including a pier), a recreation hall, one "exercise court, three tennis courts, one volleyball court, one
gymnasium, one store, and an internal road and parking lot system. No known hazardous or toxic substances or wastes were used or stored on the site. Sometime after World War II, the
structures were removed from the site and single-family homes of early 1950s vintage were built on the property on subdivided lots.
Spreckels Company in April 1943 for construction of the initial facilities. Subsequently, the Navy leased an additional 6.75 acres of property from the J.D. and A.B. Spreckels Company
adjacent to the initial leased land for expansion of the facilities. This property was leased in August or September 1944 (exact date unknown).
The WAVES barracks was used for housing female Naval officers. Facilities included four barracks, one mess hall and galley, a 16-bed dispensary, a recreation hall, one exercise court, three tennis courts, one volleyball court, one gymnasium, and a general store.
Based on the termination clauses in the lease documents, the lease agreements on the 13.97-acre parcels terminated within six months of the end of World War II (exact date unknown). Documentation indicates that in May 1947 after the death of J.D. Spreckels, the lands were offered for sale to the City of Coronado. In the 1950s (exact dates unknown), the land was subdivided into single-family lots and sold to private parties. The property has remained residential since the 1950s, with the exception of one parcel which is owned by San Diego Gas
and Electric Company (SDG&E). SDG&E purchased this parcel in 1949; the property presently is occupied by several underground transformers and a community park.