THE HARBOR DEFENSES OF LOS ANGELES
Fort MacArthur – Upper Reservation
March 2006
Current Site Name: The Fort MacArthur Museum – Angels Gate Park
Current Site Owner(s): City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
Current Site Supervisor: Stephen Nelson, Historic Site Director/Curator
Physical Address: Fort MacArthur Museum, Osgood-Farley Historic Site,
3601 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
Business Address: The Fort MacArthur Museum Association
P.O. Box 268 San Pedro, CA 90731
Email: director@ftmac.org
Web Site: http://www.ftmac.org
Hours of Operation: Tuesday, Thursday, and Weekends, 12:00 – 5:00, other days by appointment.
Programs offered at Fort MacArthur: Old Fort MacArthur Days and Artillery Show always the weekend after the 4th of July. Veteran’s oral history programs, Veteran History’s are published in the Associations newsletter. The Fort MacArthur Museum Association has a active historic preservation and restoration program. The Fort MacArthur Press publishes reprints of many Coast Artillery manuals. The Great Los Angeles Air Raid fundraiser in held around the 25th of February each year.
Living History: Yes, WWI – WWII – Cold War
Tours: Yes, during business hours and by special arrangement
Museum Store: Yes – Extensive collection of military titles, kid’s toys, and logo merchandise.
Museum Restoration Shop: Yes – The museum shop is located in the two large mobile searchlight storage buildings on the historic site and is very capable.
Restoration Projects: M2 Height Finders – 60” Searchlights – ½ & ¾ Ton Dodge Vehicles – Restoration of the glass in all of the battery windows at Battery Osgood-Farley. – K9 Cemetery
Events at the Site: The Great Los Angeles Air Raid (February) – Upper Reservation Walking Tour (April) – Old Fort MacArthur Days (July) other programs are offered thought the year, see the website for more information: http://www.ftmac.org/Events.htm
Overall Condition of Site: Very good
Condition of individual Elements: Most very good, a few good.
Other Elements: Very good and improving.
Protective Status of Site: Battery Osgood-Farley and Barlow–Saxton are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Battery Osgood-Farley is also listed as a Los Angeles City Cultural Landmark.
Support Group: Fort MacArthur Museum Association
Other Contacts at the Site:
Contact: Stephen Nelson, Director / Curator (director@ftmac.org)
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 268, San Pedro, CA 90731
Phone: (310) 548-2631
Fax: (310) 241-0847
CDSG Member: Yes (as an institution)
What information can the CDSG provide to the management of the site?: Photographs, drawings, and an inventory list for the Plotting Room, and BC Station for Battery Osgood-Farley. Copies if the Morning & Daily Reports for Fort MacArthur 1914 – 1980’s
Is there anyone at the Site that would submit material for the CDSG Journal?: Yes, Stephen Nelson, or Joe Janesic
Special Situations at the Site: The City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks is not the best steward of the Battery Osgood-Farley Historic Site. We must be on constant watch to protect the historic resources within the 20 acre National Register Site. Several attempts have been made in recent years to reduce the size and importance of the Osgood-Farley site. Battery Barlow-Saxton is also on the National Register and continues to be neglected by its current owner, the City of Los Angles, Department of Education. Several other organizations continue to threaten the historic resources of the Upper Reservation of Fort MacArthur.
Significant Elements at Fort MacArthur: Battery Osgood-Farley is the best preserved Taft Era battery in the Continental United States. Battery Osgood-Farley and Battery Leary-Merriam (both at Fort MacArthur) are the only two operational 14-inch gun batteries in the Continental United States. Battery Barlow-Saxton (eight M1912 mortars on M1896 MIII carriages) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places but continues to be neglected. Battery 241 has the only intact WWII 200 series power room.
Projects that would benefit from CDSG funding: The CDSG has funded the transportation of a 90mm ATMB mount and assisted in the loan of a General Electric 25KW generator unit for the restored power room at Battery Osgood-Farley. The museum is seeking a 90mm barrel in order to justify the expense of restoring the AMTB mount that the CDSG previously funded. The entire Upper Reservation would benefit from increased signage at each of the batteries and cantonment areas to better inform the public about the significance of the sites.
The replacement of the glass windows at Osgood-Farley would be a good project for the CDSG to assist with; the total expense for this project is expected to be around $2,000.00 and has already made a dramatic change in the appearance of the battery. The continued restoration of the M2 height finders is an ongoing capital expense for the Fort MacArthur Museum Association and in the near future, the association is planning to begin restoration work of the Plotting Room and Battery Commanders Station for Battery Osgood. The restoration of the BC Station will require the replacement of the sheet metal roof over the station.
