CABRILLO Historic Structures Report

Figure 4. The Army Radio Station front facade.

ARMY RADIO STATION (Rehabilitation)

Location

The Army Radio Station sits 1000 feet northwest of the old lighthouse, its radio towers were once situated between the two structures.

History

World War I stimulated San Diego coastal defense developments, including the construction of the Army Radio Station at Fort Rosecrans, authorized in 1917. Both constructed and operational in 1918, the building was the Army's first radio station in the Harbor Defenses of San Diego. The structure functioned as a radio station through 1936, when radio operations were relocated to the harbor defense command post. The building next became the meteorological station for the coast artillery, later housing the Monument Superintendent's office, then storage. The building was rehabilitated in 1998-1999. An exhibit on the military history of Fort Rosecrans was installed in March, 1999.

Description

Exterior

This one-story building is rectangular in plan and set into the sloping hill (figures 4 and 5). Walls are reinforced concrete, with a flat, asphalt roll roofing-clad, wood-framed roof. One single, wood-panel door with glazing, is located on the northwest side of the building. Windows are fixed, wood sash with eight lights each containing wire-mesh glazing, replicated from a sample window taken from Battery Whistler. The original door hardware was replaced, originally consisting of a knob and keyhole system.

Interior

The three rectangular interior rooms feature vinyl tile flooring, painted concrete walls, one-and-one-half- inch crown molding and a beaded six-inch wood tongue-and-groove ceiling. Flat wood door and window surrounds are approximately five-inches wide. The Operating Room contains two fluorescent light fixtures, while the Sleeping Quarters and Motor Generator rooms each have one. Electrical equipment hangs on the south wall of the Operating Room. The opening connecting the Operating Room and the Motor Generator Room is an alteration, as is the tan and green vinyl flooring and fluorescent lighting (figure 6).

Condition

Exterior

The exterior is in good condition overall. However, the concrete foundations and walls are in fair condition with spalls, exposed reinforcing rod, and cracks visible on the exposed north facade. At the time of this survey, the south foundation was partially covered by the hillside and excavation to clear a path around the building was in progress. The wood trim at the roof fascia needs paint, while the roof itself was recently replaced. Nails attaching the non-original plywood infill have punctured the door and the surrounding trim. The windows are in good condition.

Interior

The concrete walls are in fair condition with hydrostatic pressure at the lower south wall causing blistering of the paint and concrete and stress cracks at the window and door headers. Unfinished concrete and spalls are visible at the new door cut. The ceiling has loose boards, failing paint and missing crown molding trim. The ferrous metal suspended light fixtures are corroded.

Structural Analysis

No significant structural concerns were noted. The cracks and spalling in the concrete walls and foundations noted above are relatively minor and do not at this time appear to compromise the structural capacity of the building.

Figure 5. Roll-roofing clads the roof of the Army Radio Station.

Figure 6. A non-original opening connects the Operating and Motor Generator Rooms.