On 1 April 1945 the OSS and SCICO entered into a lease (OSS-1090) for six parcels on Catalina Island which totaled 188.65 acres. The six parcels included; Toyon Cove, Gallagher's Beach, White's Landing, Fourth of July Cove (Cherry Valley Cove), Howland's Landing, and Emerald Bay/Johnson's Landing. This lease also contains an option to lease Cherry Cove. A term included in the lease allows for the right to practice temporary landing operations on all other beaches on Santa Catalina Island, except those in the City of Avalon.
The OSS used Catalina Island as a secret training and practice site for American spies during World War II. Originally, the Toyon Cove site was used by the Maritime Unit of OSS and later by the Schools and Training Branch. Toyon Cove was the main training site. Toyon Cove, along with the five other satellite locations, was used to practice guerilla landings. The overall training included; hand-to-hand combat, survival skills, demolitions, map reading, cryptography, and clandestine radio operations.
The OSS terminated the lease for Toyon Cove and the satellite sites effective 30 September 1945. After termination of the lease, the sites were returned to the Santa Catalina Island Company. In a supplemental agreement dated 28 December 1945 the SCICO accepted the properties with the government improvements left in place. Additionally, the SCICO released and forever discharged the government from any action, liability, or claims connected with the lease of these properties.
On April 1, 1945 the OSS and SCICO entered into a lease (OSS-1090) for six parcels (Parcel A-50 acres, Parcel B - 10.04 acres, Parcel C - 28.92 acres, Parcel D - 63.70 acres, Parcel E -Howland's Landing - a portion of Section 23, Township 8 South Range 14 West - 30.99 acres and Parcel F - Emerald Bay and Johnson's Landing - a portion of Section 15, 22 and 23 and
Township 8 South, Range 16 West - 5 acres) on Catalina Island which totaled 188.65 acres. The lease term included U.S. Government right to practice temporary landing operations on all other beaches on Santa Catalina Island, except those in the City of Avalon. On May 31, 1945 the OSS renewed the lease for a period of one year beginning July 1, 1945 and ending June 30,
1946. On August 6, 1945 the OSS terminated lease (OSS-1090) effective September 30, 1945.
The OSS used Catalina Island as a secret training and practice site for American spies during World War II. Originally, the Toyon Cove site was used by the Maritime Unit of OSS and later by the Schools and Training Branch. Toyon cove was the main training site. Toyon Cove, along with the five other satellite locations, was used to practice guerilla landings. The overall
training included; sabotage, small boat handling, underwater swimming, how to plant explosives beneath enemy ships, infiltration by sea, parachute training, guerilla fighting, hand-to-hand combat, survival skills, demolitions, map reading, cryptography, and clandestine radio operations.
At the time of contractor's site visit on 14 July 1998, no evidence of former OSS activities at the former target range (near the basketball court area in Toyon Cove) was found. However, during trenching activities one to two years ago at the basketball court location, concrete tanks were discovered. There is a potential for the discovery of additional underground storage tank(s) at this area.
After termination of the lease, the sites were returned to the Santa Catalina Island Company. In a supplemental agreement dated 28 December 1945 the SCICO accepted the properties with the government improvements left in place. Additionally, the SCICO released and forever discharged the government from any action, liability, or claims connected with the lease of these
properties.
