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 big military base for the United States Army in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California. Today, a small part of it is still used by the United States Air Force for homes and offices. The fort is named after Lieutenant General Arthur MacArthur. His son, Douglas MacArthur, was a famous general in World War II.
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Fort MacArthur's History and Purpose
In 1888, President Grover Cleveland set aside land overlooking San Pedro Bay. This land was meant to help protect the growing Los Angeles harbor. More land was bought later, and Fort MacArthur officially started on October 31, 1914.
During World War I, the fort was a training center. Large gun batteries were put in place in 1917 to defend the harbor. These huge guns were very powerful. When they fired, they could shake windows in homes miles away!
In World War II, Fort MacArthur was very important. It helped protect vital places like shipbuilding factories and large aircraft factories. It also guarded the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. These areas were very important targets during the war.
After World War II, the need for these large guns changed. The big guns were removed, with the last ones taken out in 1948. Battery Osgood-Farley is a well-preserved example of a coastal defense gun area. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Another site, Battery John Barlow and Saxton, was added in 1982.
Air Defense During the Cold War
In the early years of the Cold War, Fort MacArthur became a key part of the West Coast's air defenses. It became the main base for the 47th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade.
Nike Missile Defense
A Nike surface-to-air missile battery was set up at the fort in 1954. These missiles were designed to shoot down enemy aircraft. They stayed in service until the early 1970s.
The Fort MacArthur Direction Center (DC) was like a control room for the Project Nike missile batteries. It helped coordinate the defense of the Los Angeles area.
How the Direction Center Worked
The Direction Center used radar to see targets in the sky. It helped connect the different missile sites so they could work together. It also communicated with the Air Force to coordinate defense efforts. This ensured that both Army missiles and Air Force fighter jets worked as a team.
The Direction Center started in 1960 with a special computer system. This system helped manage the air defense operations. The 47th Artillery Brigade ran the center. Later, the computer system was updated to a newer, more modern version.
By 1974, the Nike missile operations ended. The main bunker for the Direction Center was removed around 1985.
Changes to the Fort
In 1975, Fort MacArthur became a smaller part of another base called Fort Ord. Two years later, the Army gave parts of the fort to the City of Los Angeles.
The Lower Reservation area 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
The Upper Reservation of Fort MacArthur is now a city park called Angels Gate Park. This beautiful park is home to the famous Korean Bell of Friendship.
There was also a youth hostel located in refurbished military barracks on the reservation. It was run by Hostelling International USA.
Fort MacArthur Military Museum
The Fort MacArthur Military Museum is located at the site of Battery Osgood-Farley. The museum shows exhibits about the fort's history. It also explains its role in defending the Los Angeles area and the Indo-Pacific Theater military campaigns. You can learn about Los Angeles's importance as a military port here.
Fort MacArthur in Pop Culture
Fort MacArthur and its museum have appeared in many TV shows and movies.
The Battle of Los Angeles and the Fort MacArthur Museum were featured in California's Gold with Huell Howser.
You might have seen it in TV series like The A-Team and 24. It has also been in films such as Dragnet, Midway, and Tora! Tora! Tora!.
In 1989, the singer Madonna filmed parts of her "Like a Prayer" music video there.
The fort is also mentioned in the 2001 movie Swordfish.
