Fort MacArthur facts for kids
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500 Varas Square – Government Reserve
(Fort MacArthur) (Battery Osgood-Farley) |
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Battery Farley, with the Korean Bell of Friendship in the background
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 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | San Pedro, Los Angeles, California |
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| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | US Army, Quartermaster General |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman, Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000326 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 12, 1986 |
Fort MacArthur was once a United States Army base located in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California. Today, a small part of it is still used by the United States Air Force for housing and offices connected to Los Angeles Air Force Base. The fort was named after Arthur MacArthur, Jr., a famous army general. His son, Douglas MacArthur, later became a very important commander during World War II.
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Discovering Fort MacArthur's Past
In 1888, President Grover Cleveland set aside land overlooking San Pedro Bay. This land was meant to be a military area. Its goal was to make the growing Los Angeles harbor safer. More land was bought in 1897 and 1910. Fort MacArthur officially started on October 31, 1914.
Fort MacArthur in World War I
During World War I, the fort became a training center for soldiers. The first large gun batteries were put in place in 1917. These huge guns were for defending the harbor. However, firing them caused a lot of noise and shaking. Windows in homes miles away would often shatter!
Protecting the Coast in World War II
In World War II, Fort MacArthur played a vital role. It helped protect the Los Angeles area from attacks. This included important shipbuilding factories and huge aircraft factories. It also guarded the Huntington Beach Oil Field and the busy San Pedro Bay harbors.
By the end of World War II, the need for these big guns changed. The last ones were removed in 1948. Today, Battery Osgood-Farley is a well-preserved example of a coastal defense gun site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Another site, Battery John Barlow and Saxton, joined the Register in 1982.
Air Defense During the Cold War
During the early years of the Cold War, Fort MacArthur became very important. It was a key part of the West Coast's defenses against air attacks. The fort became home to the 47th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade.
Nike Missiles at the Fort
A Nike surface-to-air missile battery was set up at the fort in 1954. These missiles were designed to shoot down enemy aircraft. The Nike missile system stayed in use until the early 1970s.
The Fort MacArthur Direction Center helped guide these missiles. It used radar to track targets and coordinate the missile batteries. This made sure that Los Angeles was protected from air threats.
What Happened to Fort MacArthur?
In 1975, Fort MacArthur became a smaller part of Fort Ord. Two years later, the Army gave parts of the fort's land to the City of Los Angeles. The Lower Reservation was cleared and is now the city's Cabrillo Marina.
In 1982, the remaining Middle Reservation was given to the United States Air Force. It is now used by Los Angeles Air Force Base for offices and housing.
Angels Gate Park: A New Purpose
The Upper Reservation of the fort is now a city park called Angels Gate Park. This beautiful park is home to the famous Korean Bell of Friendship.
For a while, a Hostelling International youth hostel was located in the old military barracks. It offered a place for young travelers to stay.
Fort MacArthur Military Museum
The Fort MacArthur Military Museum is located at the site of Battery Osgood-Farley. It has many exhibits about the fort's history. You can learn about its role in defending Los Angeles. The museum also covers military campaigns in the Indo-Pacific Theater and Los Angeles's role as a military port.
See also
- 63rd Coast Artillery (United States)
- 14-inch M1920 railway gun
- List of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles
- Casa de San Pedro, a California Historic Landmark on the Fort
- List of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments in the Harbor area
